Culture & Artsnyc street art5 pointz paintedNew York City

Artworks Disappear Overnight As 5 Pointz Graffiti Haven Is Painted White

Artworks Disappear Overnight As 5 Pointz Graffiti Haven Is Painted White
|

Despite the efforts of many to save Long Island City's 5 Pointz from demolition, the renowned graffiti haven has finally met its end. The massive warehouse that served as Queen's biggest street art canvas was whitewashed overnight, erasing nearly 30 years of New York art history.

The paint job occurred only days after supporters flocked to the LIC location to pledge support for 5 Pointz, and only a week after 5 Pointz curator Jonathan Cohen, aka Meres One, failed to get a court injunction against the destruction of the building. A judge ruled that developers Jerry and David Wolkoff, owners of the 5 Pointz warehouse, could go forward with their plans to transform the building into high-end condos.

Why the warehouse had to painted white before demolition, we don't know. The act took place last night with police protection, and has since sparked more than a few people to take to the Twitterverse to express their grief. Check out some of the responses to the 5 Pointz whitewashing below and let us know your thoughts on the impending demolition in the comments. For more on the legacy of 5 Pointz, read a tribute by the experts at Brooklyn Street Art here.

UPDATE: According to Vanishing New York, the whitewashing was likely an attempt to prevent a last-minute landmarking initiative launched by 5 Pointz artists last week, one that aimed to stop the building's demolition.

Seeing those pics of the 5pointz walls getting painted over hurt my heart. Used to love catching a glimpse of the art while riding the 7 😞

— Alex (@ahp109) November 19, 2013

5 pointz goes down for condos, so people can ironically move to the culturally enriched neighborhood. Take that in for a second.

— Meron Menghistab (@Mersrulesworld) November 19, 2013

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

5Pointz
(01 of23)
Open Image Modal
The '5 Pointz' is an outdoor art exhibit space in New York. The project was first established in 1993 to to discourage graffiti vandalism by encouraging artists to display their work in a formal showcase. July 5, 2010. (THEO ZIEROCK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(02 of23)
Open Image Modal
The '5 Pointz' is an outdoor art exhibit space in New York. The project was first established in 1993 to to discourage graffiti vandalism by encouraging artists to display their work in a formal showcase. July 5, 2010. (THEO ZIEROCK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(03 of23)
Open Image Modal
The '5 Pointz' is an outdoor art exhibit space in New York. The project was first established in 1993 to to discourage graffiti vandalism by encouraging artists to display their work in a formal showcase. July 5, 2010. (THEO ZIEROCK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(04 of23)
Open Image Modal
People stand near the '5 Pointz' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(05 of23)
Open Image Modal
The '5 Pointz' is an outdoor art exhibit space in New York. The project was first established in 1993 to to discourage graffiti vandalism by encouraging artists to display their work in a formal showcase. July 5, 2010. (THEO ZIEROCK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(06 of23)
Open Image Modal
The '5 Pointz' is an outdoor art exhibit space in New York. The project was first established in 1993 to to discourage graffiti vandalism by encouraging artists to display their work in a formal showcase. July 5, 2010. (THEO ZIEROCK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(07 of23)
Open Image Modal
The '5 Pointz' is an outdoor art exhibit space in New York. The project was first established in 1993 to discourage graffiti vandalism by encouraging artists to display their work in a formal showcase. July 5, 2010. (THEO ZIEROCK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(08 of23)
Open Image Modal
The '5 Pointz' is an outdoor art exhibit space in New York. The project was first established in 1993 to to discourage graffiti vandalism by encouraging artists to display their work in a formal showcase. July 5, 2010. (THEO ZIEROCK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(09 of23)
Open Image Modal
A mural painted on the '5 Pointz' building is seen on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(10 of23)
Open Image Modal
The '5 Pointz' building is seen from a passing subway car on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(11 of23)
Open Image Modal
The '5 Pointz' building is seen from a passing subway car on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(12 of23)
Open Image Modal
The '5 Pointz' building is seen from a passing subway car on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(13 of23)
Open Image Modal
The '5 Pointz' building is seen on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(14 of23)
Open Image Modal
A slab of concreted painted as a United States flag is seen next to the '5 Pointz' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(15 of23)
Open Image Modal
A mural painted on the '5 Pointz' building is seen on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(16 of23)
Open Image Modal
Steve Lew, who goes by the artist name 'Kidlew,' paints a new piece on a section of wall of the '5 Pointz' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(17 of23)
Open Image Modal
A mural painted on the '5 Pointz' building is seen on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(18 of23)
Open Image Modal
A woman has her picture taken next to a mural painted on the '5 Pointz' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(19 of23)
Open Image Modal
A woman watches as Steve Lew, who goes by the artist name 'Kidlew,' paints a new piece on a section of wall of the '5 Pointz' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(20 of23)
Open Image Modal
A woman has her picture taken next to a mural painted on the '5 Pointz' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(21 of23)
Open Image Modal
Steve Lew, who goes by the artist name 'Kidlew,' paints a new piece on a section of wall of the '5 Pointz' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(22 of23)
Open Image Modal
A man walks past a mural painted on the '5 Pointz' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(23 of23)
Open Image Modal
A man walks around the '5 Pointz' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip