In 1971 a man named Jerry Wolkoff brought the building and had leased it out to a company that had made record player accessories and eight-track tapes. The company then moved out in the early 1990s, so he decided to rent the space out as studios to artists. In 2002 the former warehouse known as the Phun Phactory slowly turned into the 5 Pointz Aerosol Art Center, Inc. Located in Long Island city, New York. “Considered to be the world’s premiere “graffiti Mecca,” where aerosol artists from around the globe paint colorful pieces on the walls of a 200,000-square-foot factory building.” (About 5 Pointz). The attraction brought many artists from all over the world to come and paint their pieces all over the walls. The name 5 Pointz was given by a man named Jonathan Meres Cohen. The name signified the unity of the five boroughs of New York coming together as one. The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
The outdoor museum brought many tourists and even attracted hip hop and R&B artists. Such as Doug E. Fresh, Grandmaster Kaz, Mobb Deep, and Rahzel just to name a few. Also was featured in Hollywood films. The most recent movie I believe it to be in was “Now You See.” This place brought the community together such as holding events and also having tours. One of the most recent events was to actually save 5 Pointz. The owner had other plans for the building. Petitions were signed and even more events took place.
Before it was ever called graffiti it was called writing. Some say it was considered the earliest form of writing. Connecting it to ancient Egypt or ancient Rome. This form of art was used as a social or political message that evolved with the hip hop culture. Also there was gang related graffiti to mark their territories around the city. Graffiti as we know it today started in between the 1960s and 70s in New York. “The first modern graffiti writer is widely considered to be Cornbread, a high school student from Philadelphia, who in 1967 started tagging city walls to get the attention of a girl.” (Melker)
There is a connection between graffiti and hip hop. It’s pretty much like the dance moves in hip hop. For ever the new moves and changes and also, in trying to be the best. It started out as a competition. And unlike the gang related graffiti tags, hip hop graffiti is actually considered real art. There is always different kinds of styles and new techniques being introduced. “Hip hop graffiti is a means of self-expression and creativity rather than a way of gang demonstration.” (Pomoni). One of the four elements of hip hop, graffiti was also practiced by Djs, emcee’s, and breakdancers.
Jerry Wolkoff had plans for the building. He wanted to build to high-rise towers with luxury apartments. Wanting to avoid any confrontation he added that there would be a 60 high-wall for artists to paint on freely. Mr. Wolkoff said,“I am telling you, I did not like what they did — I loved what they did.” He enjoyed the beauty of the artists and appreciated it. Sadly though over night the building was painted over white. It broke the community’s heart seeing ten years of the largest aerosol art center gone within one night. All of the artists work can never be replaced. “The judge gave me the right to demolish my building. It would take three months. To watch the pieces go down piece by piece by piece would be torturous.” (Buckley). Ten years of art erased that can never be duplicated again.
“ABOUT | 5 POINT.” 5 POINTZ. IV.Creative.Inc, 2012. Web. 03 Apr. 2014.