Five Pointz Artists Sue to Preserve Graffiti in NYC
A view of the graffiti art exhibit 5Pointz, August 15, 2012 in Long Island City, New York. 5Pointz is considered to be the world's premiere "graffiti Mecca," where aerosol artists from around the globe paint on the walls of a 200,000-square-foot factory building. Sixteen artists, including Meres One and Lady Pink, filed a lawsuit against the landowner to preserve what they say is copyrighted art.
DON EMMERT/AFP/GettyImages
Five Pointz Artists Sue to Preserve Graffiti in NYC
A view of the graffiti art exhibit 5Pointz, August 15, 2012 in Long Island City, New York. 5Pointz is considered to be the world's premiere "graffiti Mecca," where aerosol artists from around the globe paint on the walls of a 200,000-square-foot factory building. Sixteen artists, including Meres One and Lady Pink, filed a lawsuit against the landowner to preserve what they say is copyrighted art.DON EMMERT/AFP/GettyImagesFive Pointz Artists Sue to Preserve Graffiti in NYC
The artists, who say they hope to purchase the property, are trying to prevent the destruction of the existing building and the landowner's intention to allegedly build luxury apartments in its place. On Oct. 28, 2013, a federal district judge granted an injunction to stop development and further painting until Nov. 12. The next court hearing will take place on Nov. 6 in Brooklyn.Allegra AcevedoFive Pointz Artists Sue to Preserve Graffiti in NYC
A woman walks past the outdoor graffiti art exhibit 5Pointz, Aug. 15, 2012 in Long Island City, New York. Australian James Cochran's pointillism technique portrays Olympian Usain Bolt to celebrate London's 2012 Olympic Games. The hearts in the eyes are a "signature feature" for the artist, a court exhibit explains.DON EMMERT/AFP/GettyImages/NewscomFive Pointz Artists Sue to Preserve Graffiti in NYC
Artwork portraying "David and Goliath" by Static from Chicago.Allegra AcevedoFive Pointz Artists Sue to Preserve Graffiti in NYC
An elephant in a cage, by Jonathan Cohen, known as Meres One. Cohen is a volunteer curator for 5Pointz and has over "100 works of visual art on the exterior and interior walls of 5Pointz," the lawsuit claims. Cohen created the body paint artwork for the music album, "Introducing Joss Stone" for British artist Joss Stone. Stone filmed the music video for her single, "Tell Me 'Bout It" at 5Pointz.Allegra AcevedoFive Pointz Artists Sue to Preserve Graffiti in NYC
This large depiction of a woman in a veil, "Dream of Oil" by 'Dasic' Francisco Fernández from Chile, can be seen from the nearby 7 subway train track.Allegra AcevedoFive Pointz Artists Sue to Preserve Graffiti in NYC
"Love Girl and Burner" by Jonathan Cohen and artist "TooFly" at 5Pointz, which has "over 350 works of visual art on its exterior and interior walls" from various artists, the lawsuit says. Cohen was born in the Bronx and raised in Flushing, Queens. In 2012, he was commissioned by Geneva's N'vy Hotel for a project spanning over 15,000 sq. ft.Allegra AcevedoFive Pointz Artists Sue to Preserve Graffiti in NYC
The figure in the orange shirt is "7 Angle Time Lapse," by Jonathan Cohen, who says the copyright status for which is "pending."Allegra Acevedo
