Jonathan “Meres” Cohen

meres graffiti and street art action at 5Pointz Speaking with 5Pointz Founder and CEO: Jonathan Meres Cohen

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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5Pointz street art graffiti NYC1  5Pointz Launches Its 10th Season

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.

Graffiti artist Demer at 5Pointz NYC  5Pointz Launches Its 10th Season

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.

Sien and Eric Orr street art mural at 5Pointz  5Pointz Launches Its 10th Season

Break-dancers shared their talents, as well.

Breakdancer at 5Pointz  5Pointz Launches Its 10th Season

Breakdancer action at 5Pointz  5Pointz Launches Its 10th Season

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

Ego Crew street art and graffiti at 5Pointz  5Pointz Launches Its 10th Season

2Rode street art and graffiti at 5Pointz  5Pointz Launches Its 10th Season

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

Meres graffiti at 5Pointz  5Pointz Launches Its 10th Season

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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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

Jimmy C, England:

Jimmy C England 5Pointz street art1 5Pointz: A Global Graffiti Mecca

The Yok and Creepy, Australia:

The Yok Creepy Australia 5Pointz street art 5Pointz: A Global Graffiti Mecca

The Ego Crew, Spain:

Ego Crew Spain 5Pointz street art 5Pointz: A Global Graffiti Mecca

Owen Dipppie, New Zealand:

Owen Dippie New Zealand 5Points street art 5Pointz: A Global Graffiti Mecca

Photos by Dani Mozeson

 

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