History
The complex was first established as the Phun Phactory in 1993 by Pat DiLillo under a program called Graffiti Terminators to discourage graffiti vandalism by encouraging artists to display their work in a formal showcase.
In 2002 Jonathan Cohen, a graffiti artist operating under the name “Meres” began curating the work. If he is not familiar with an artist, Cohen will ask for a sample of their work; if it is a mural, he will ask for a layout as well. The name 5Pointz signifies the five boroughs coming together as one but, because of its reputation as an epicenter of the graffiti scene, the industrial complex has actually united aerosol artists from across the world. Legendary writers from Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Japan, Brazil, and all over the United States have painted on the building walls, including Stay High 149, Tracy 168, Cope2, Part, and Tats Cru.
Over the past decade, the striking, graffiti-covered warehouse has attracted several hip-hop and R&B stars, including Doug E. Fresh, Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Kaz, Mobb Deep, Rahzel, DJ JS-1, Boot Camp Clik, Joan Jett, and Joss Stone. One of the first graffiti there was a portrait of Jam Master J, an important member of the early hip hop musical style.[citation needed]
In April 2009 the New York City Buildings department ordered the largest building closed after citing it for numerous building deficiencies including the studio partitions were built without permits. The inspections following an incident on April 10, 2009, in which an artist was injured when part of a concrete fire escape collapsed.
Reaction
John Roleke of About.com writes: “5 Pointz is a living collage of graffiti art covering a converted warehouse full of artist studios”. 5 Pointz is known worldwide, and taggers or graffiti artists from all over the world have come there paint graffiti. 5 Pointz has been the subject of articles in newspapers such as The Christian Science Monitor, The Boston Globe, The New York Times, and the International Herald Tribune.
References
^ a b c Bayliss, Sarah (2004-08-03). “Museum With (Only) Walls”. The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F04EFD9173CF93BA3575BC0A9629C8B63. Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
^ http://5ptz.com/graff/about/
^ a b One Artist Is Hurt, and 200 Others Are Feeling the Pain – New York Times – April 18, 2009
^ NEIGHBORHOOD REPORT: LONG ISLAND CITY; Wall Hits a Patron of Graffiti – New York Times – February 15, 1998
^ a b c d Kiper, Dmitry. “Curator of an urban canvas article”. The Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0724/p20s01-ussc.html. Retrieved 2008-03-19. 
^ http://5ptz.com/graff/about/
^ Roleke, John. “5 Pointz – Graffiti Mecca and Home to Artists”. About.com. http://queens.about.com/od/thingtodo/ss/lic_art_2.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-11. 
^ Wallgren, Christine (2007-06-24). “Graffiti crew wants a place to call its own”. The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/06/24/graffiti_crew_wants_a_place_to_call_its_own/. Retrieved 2008-04-22. 
^ “Graffiti artists find legal haven in New York City”. International Herald Tribune. 2007-08-12. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/12/arts/NA-A-E-ART-US-New-York-Graffiti.php. Retrieved 2008-04-22. 
External links
5ptz.com
Coordinates: 404443 735644 / 40.745152N 73.94567W / 40.745152; -73.94567
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Categories: Graffiti and unauthorised signage | Hip hop stubs | New York City building and structure stubsHidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from April 2008