5Pointz

From Five Continents to 5Pointz: Onur, Wes21, Kkade, Semor, Vova Zomb, Toofly, eL Seed, Jaye, Meres, Funk, Zert, Stain, MiesOne & Article

May 16, 2013

Since 5Pointz began its 11th season earlier this month, its walls have served as a canvas for artists visiting NYC from across the globe. Here’s a sampling of what has surfaced in the past two weeks:

Onur, Wes21, Kkade from Switzerland and Semor from Germany

Semor and KKade

Vova Zomb from Moscow

Ecuadorian artist Toofly

French Tunisian artist eL Seed, Jaye from Paris and Meres

Funk from Montreal

Australian artists Zert and Stain

Indonesian artist MiesOne

Article from Houston, Texas

Photos by Lenny Collado, Dani Mozeson, Tara Murray & Lois Stavsky

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Sheryo & the Yok Back in NYC — at 5Pointz & at the Bushwick Collective

April 8, 2013

Singapore native Sheryo and Aussie’s the Yok are back in New York City. And that is a cause for celebration! After gracing Long Island City’s 5Pointz with their wondrous whacky characters, they got busy at the Bushwick Collective.

At 5Pointz

Sheryo at the Bushwick Collective on Friday afternoon

Sheryo and the Yok in the early stages of the Bushwick Collective wall

The Yok back at the Bushwick Collective on Saturday

Sheryo back at work on Saturday

The cast of characters — as of late Saturday

Photos by Tara Murray

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A Visual Feast at 5Pointz: Mr. Blob, Monsieur Plume, Zmogk, Meres, Spud, Zimad & more

March 11, 2013

Even during the winter months, artists from across the globe make their way to Long Island City’s 5Pointz. Here’s a small sampling of what can be seen on the walls of the world’s Mecca of aerosol art:

Italian artist Mr. Blob

French artist Monsieur Plume

From Hamburg, Germany

Moscow-based Zmogk

And this past weekend, the 5Pointz indoor gallery featured “From Bricks to Blades” as part of Armory Art Week. Here’s a sampling from the exhibit that is set to travel to Europe.

5Pointz founder, curator and artist Meres One

Spud from Toronto

And Zimad of the TD4 crew — on a more subtle note

Photos by Tara Murray and Lois Stavsky

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Speaking with Christian Cortes

October 25, 2012

NYC-based painter and illustrator Christian Cortes has been increasingly exploring combinations of graffiti typography with surrealism, abstraction, South American iconography and New York City culture.

Your extraordinary artwork has graced the walls of 5Pointz for years. Where else have you gotten up?

I’ve painted in France, Germany, Spain, Japan, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and in Puerto Rico. I’ve also gotten up in Seattle, Miami and Fort Lauderdale. And here in NYC, I’ve recently painted in the Bronx.

Any favorite place?

Probably Puerto Rico. I had many Puerto Rican friends as a teenager, and I feel a strong connection between NYC and Puerto Rico.

When did you first start getting up in public spaces?

I was in 7th grade when I began paying close attention to what was happening on the 7 train, on rooftops and along the 59th Street Bridge. Soon afterwards I was bombing those surfaces. I was most active on the streets – as Waqs A3crew– between 1990 -1995 piecing. But then I took a ten-year break.

Do you have a formal art education?

I attended the High School of Art and Design and I began fine art studies at three different colleges. But I dropped out of all of them, as I became increasingly involved in my own work.

Cortes paints at 5Points NYC Speaking with Christian Cortes

What kind of work were you doing?

I was doing lots of commercial work such as record covers, backdrops for videos and steady commissions for rap groups. Among my projects was a video for Jeru the Damaja. This was ideal work for me, as I’ve always felt strongly connected to musicians. When I hit a wall with other artists, it’s like we’re all making music!

What got you back into painting on the streets?

5Pointz – for sure! Also traveling and the Internet. I share much of what I do on YouTube these days. I feel a responsibility towards the younger writers, and I love the interaction with them.

Have you any advice for young artists?

Aspiring artists need to learn the value of discipline. Art doesn’t happen quickly or easily.

Who inspires you?

Mode 2 from France and I’ve developed a new appreciation for Seen. I’m also inspired by musicians – such as Sadat X of Brand Nubian and Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam.

Cortes graffiti in the Bronx2 Speaking with Christian Cortes

Tell us something about your skulls. They surface in so many of your pieces.

Skulls have forever been a theme in all genres of art. When I first started painting skulls – while still in high school — I was suggesting that graffiti is dead. But now I think of skulls as a celebration of life through acknowledging death. And in relation to graffiti, the skulls have come to imply rebirth, as graff has been reborn.

What do you see as the future of graffiti?

I see it developing into more of a grass-roots movement. I see us developing our own events, along with smaller brands, as the huge brands have been dictating what kids see.

How do you feel about the street art vs. graffiti divide?

I don’t see them in conflict with one another. I see them simply as two separate genres. But I have difficulty understanding, for example, the Banksy phenomenon.

Cortes paints in the Bronx NYC Speaking with Christian Cortes

What’s next?

More traveling, more black book videos, more tutorial videos and more walls. I’m planning to paint next in Brooklyn and I’m starting something new at 5Pointz. Next month I will be heading down to Miami for Art Basel.

Good luck! ‘sounds great!

Photos of Cortes at 5Pointz by Dani Mozeson; in the Bronx by Lois Stavsky and painting in the Bronx by Lenny Collado

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Speaking with 5Pointz Founder and CEO: Jonathan “Meres” Cohen

September 5, 2012

Under your leadership 5Pointz has evolved into an internationally acclaimed aerosol art Mecca. When did you first become involved in managing this space? And how did it happen?

It was back in 2002. I simply asked the landlord, Jerry Wolkoff, if I could, as the space had been neglected. And he agreed. He told me, in fact, that he loves graffiti. More after the jump!

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A Home Away from Home @ 5Pointz: Bonhomme, Sorick, Dekor, Eafo, Kram, Warz, Flying Fortress and Inkie

July 20, 2012

A Mecca of aerosol art, Long Island City’s 5Pointz attracts not only local artists, but also those from across the globe, offering a transitory legal home to a diverse range — from Old School graff writers to modern muralists. Here are some recent sightings:

Olivier Bonhomme from Lyon, France

More after the jump!

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Speaking with Toofly

July 11, 2012

A self-described artist, designer and entrepreneur, Toofly is best-known for her signature character that has made its way onto walls across the globe, as well as onto a range of fashion items. We had the opportunity to meet up with Toofly this past week and ask her a few questions.

Your alluring character has been surfacing all around town. We’ve recently seen her in Williamsburg, at Welling Court, at 5Pointz and even on a Lower East Side rooftop. Can you tell us something about her?

She’s kind of like my alter ego. An outlet where I can express my emotion and ideas. She was once tough and with an attitude, but she has mellowed down over the years. And, like me, she is continually evolving.

More after the jump!

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5Pointz Launches Its 10th Season

May 10, 2012

5Pointz, New York City’s aerosol art Mecca, officially launched its tenth season this past Saturday. Veteran writers, newbies, break-dancers, graff lovers, hip-hop aficionados and tourists, along with curious passersby, all came together in celebration. Here are some scenes:

Native New Yorker Demer has been an active graffiti writer since the early 80′s, beginning with NYC subway trains. These days his work is featured worldwide in print, in exhibits, on movie screens and on walls. Early Saturday he was busy at 5Pointz.

Active on the streets of the Bronx and beyond, aerosol art master Sien aka Sien Ide collaborated with Bronx native and acclaimed artist Eric Orr, one of the first writers to incorporate symbols into graffiti and to collaborate with Keith Haring.

Break-dancers shared their talents, as well.

A number of long-term walls, including those by the Madrid-based Ego Crew and Paris’s 2rode, also greeted visitors.

And, of course, there were new pieces by Jonathan “Meres” Cohen — under whose direction, relentless commitment and curatorial vision 5Pointz has attained international acclaim.

Although the threat of closure looms, that didn’t seem to be on anyone’s mind on Saturday.

Photos by Lenny Collado and Dani Mozeson

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5Pointz: A Global Graffiti Mecca

January 20, 2012

Under the leadership of the indefatigable Jonathan “Meres” Cohen, Long Island City’s 5Pointz has evolved into a first-rate open-air street art museum. Even with the threat of closure looming, its huge walls remain a canvas for artists who travel to NYC from across the globe. Here’s a small sampling of their contributions to this mecca of aerosol art:

Beastman, Australia:

Beastman Australia 5Pointz street art 5Pointz: A Global Graffiti Mecca