Graffiti and Street Art featured prominently in my project. And many of my best graffiti pics were photographed at the legendary 5 Ptz warehouse in Queens, NYC. Well in the darkness of last night, and under police protection, the owners had all that amazing and unqiue art (100s of murals) painted over in white, and sadly 5 Ptz is no more just like that!
A recent federal court ruling defeated protests from the art community and cleared the way for the owners to demolition the facility and put up ... yes you guessed it ... luxury condos! The area has become a hot location for develping as it is just a 10 min subway ride under the East River to midtown Manhattan and offers spectacular views (another hot spot for many of skyline shots).
But 5 Ptz will always be remembered. It was regarded as the world’s premiere “graffiti Mecca,” where aerosol artists from around the world painted colorful pieces on every part of the walls of the 200,000-square-foot factory building, sidewalk, signs, etc. It was my favorite place for photography and on any given day I could go there and see artists from all over at work, all kinds of photography shoots going on, fashion models, film makers and music videos being shot. For photography it was a gold mine!
I'm glad I was able to shoot so many pics there while it lasted (hey a book would be cool since the place is no more), and I'm glad I got to bring many 365ers there who were visiting. But its very sad such a wonderful and unique place for art and photography is no more. Below are just a few of my pics from the place:
This is just so sad! This was not any graffitis but amazing street art from very talented people, can't believe they just painted over it! Where will the artists o now if they can't have an outlet to express themselves and share their talent?
@roseolivia@nanalisarocks@aponi - Thx very much. Art always seems to be under attack and loses out to other interests. The new buidlings have zoned out 12,000 sq feet of external panels for aerosol artists so they will be some limited and controlled space, but thats nothing compared to what was there.
Decisions like this are taken just because they can be, by people who are obsessed with making decisions, however crass they may be. It seems a pointless exercise as well, do the authorities really think that the artists who created these murals will go away quietly? Pretty dumb from where I'm sat.
@michaelelliott "limited and controlled", hmmm those are terms most likely used to the benefit of the condo owners! I can already envision the regulations and application for permit process, most likely a HOA approval committee of subject matter, artist and color scheme!
@nanalisarocks - Youre right! And lost is the vibe and sense that you steped into another world full of creativity and anything goes. It was so cool. I got an amazing shot of Rosetta here.
I want to cry. Cambridge's very own 'graffiti wall was just demolished for the same reason but to be fair it's not much of a loss as the building needed more than graff to redeem it. Hope the artists find another area soon - what a loss to NYC.
@judithg - Yeah I can;t imagine taking white wash to all this. Its like burning books, but at least there may be other copies. Here all one of a kind. These were the Rembrandts and Picassos of street art.
@chriswang - Thx for sending me that link Chris. If I had known it was going to happen I wouldve gone down there last night. From what I had read previously I thought they were going to keep it. I guess the $$$ was just to great.
Wow, that is horribly sad. I enjoy going to Little Five Points in Atlanta which supports street art - I truly hope they don't go down the same path. :(
Wow. So close to my home town (I actually used to work at the old pepsi plant....ugh, how long ago was that there? hihihi), and I have not heard a word. Really sad. That place was always cool to check out.
Funny, over the last 10 years things have changed so much. Condos. Ugh. This is happening everywhere. When will NYC learn? All those "luxury" condos in Williamsburg are still vacant. They will just continue to flood the market with unaffordable real estate, and falsely keep the price higher than what the market can bear. Sorry for the rant, just a bit sickening at a time when I'm feeling a bit home sick.
@michaelelliott Holy S#$&...I had no idea! Not shocked though. This is the way things get done around here. Rumbling past this site will never be the same. I'll be like some old timer lamenting of the time when... On a happier note, glad to see you still poking around 365 and checking out my pics. These graffiti shots are da bomb yo!
Wouldn't it be great if NYC could dedicate a park to graffiti artists with walls that belonged to the art community? You have featured some awesome art photos in your project, that should be included in the book you need to publish... you have documented and preserved a piece of history! I would think there would be businesses lined up to pay some of these artists to paint a wall on their building!
@amyspada - Yes Amy I was supposed to take you there next time you visited. Waht a shame. it was like walking into another world. The look, feel, energy it was a special place that one felt part of being there.
@calm - Yes agreed. most of these artists were not rich like Banksy but were the epitome of brilliant starving artists. A book of this place is defintiely going to happen by someone with deep funding and resources. But I may give it a go - I'll add it to my list of projects ;)
So Michael, these great images need to be saved, how many do you have? A book to show them would be in great demand. I am sure this great talent will appear somewhere else!
That is such a shame and a great loss. At the moment the street art is tolerated/allowed in the East End but one wonders for how long. If you ever come to the UK let me know happy to show you around.
@michaelelliott That's great that you have so many, so sad to lose them all completely. I m sure many people would be pleased that they are saved, they may even bring back good memories of that street atmosphere that you mention too.
How sad, Lucky that you have documented so many and a book would be a great idea. I hope that they are not demolished, but relocated to a museum of street art (if there is such a thing) or incorporated into the “luxury condos” to add a bit of history
That is so sad, and it will remain a regret for me. You introduced me to the area through your photographs, and living so close, I always meant to go there. Unfortunately, I never did. :(
I hope you do publish your book to at least immortalize what used to be.
@losthorizon - There was actually a "curator" of sorts who managed the artists and assigned spaces for works. I bet he has. But there has been so much photogrpahy there for over a decade that there must be tens of thousands of pics. The artwork that went up did change over time so always new peices to be found.
@orangecrush - First awesome that you're trying to visit NYC! Im sure you all have a great time! But yeah too bad this place gone. It covered so much ground it was like walking through a comic book world.
“There's nothing more dangerous than someone who wants to make the world a better place.”
― Banksy
Such a loss. Somewhere, someone will start another one. The people always fight back! Thanks for sharing.
Michael, I can't believe they did that!!!! What did NYC artists and artistic milieu say about this? No protest? No sit-in? It really is a shame.
Hope you carry on the idea of a book of graffiti shots now that the site is no more: start with that immediately, now that the topic is hot. You have all the material ready!!!
Anyway, thanks for telling me to go there. I consider myself lucky to have been able to see that incredible place.
So sad! :((((
@mara19500 - Yes there were protests, petitions and law suits. But in the end all failed. So cool you got to experience it before its demise. yes the book would be hot topic around here. But figures I'm getting overloaded with work. I need photo production assistants hahaha ;)
I'm so sad to read this as it's one of the places @jyokota and I had just taken for granted that we'd get to see on our trip in February. Your photos provide a rich history (at least relatively recent history) that I would guess a photo book of your images would be a great contribution even if it is down the road before you can do it. We were lucky you were doing this and could share the amazing images on 365.
Seattle had a some of "Open Walls" for several years. Sadly two of the most popular closed at the end of last year. Now instead of graffiti being in an organized place it is scattered through the city where people are fighting the random tagging.
I hope the graffiti artists decorate the expensive condo, night after night after night' You should definitely do a book on the art work -- I love how you often include a person in the scene.
Looking at your 6th pic on your original post. Think we may have passed through this area on our way to Corona park from midtown back in April - it certainly looked like that we didn't stop just passed through on the train ??? If it wasn't this t was certainly bright and colourful
@michaelelliott we didn't know what it was as it was our first time over that way but I remember we both commented on all the artwork there was just so much of it and so detailed - it's a shame to think its gone now
@cookie123 - good idea. They tried preserving as an historic landmark and to convert to museum but all failed. Owners probably made a fortune on the land.
@scolgs - yes place was huge sprawling all around. The main complex was over 200,000 sq ft and then surrounding area all covered with artwork every inch.
Oh gosh that is devastating!! The walls had such a story & it was so beautiful. I loved seeing your street art pics :( you should definitely put together a book!! So much talent just covered :(
It is so sad when something like this happens. Money seems to win out in to many cases. So glad you were able to get so many shots of all of this wonderful art. At least it is preserved in this way
That is really sad, your photos from this spot have always been amazing. I hope you do produce a book, it would be well received. Thanks for sharing this story.
WOW...Heartbreaking.....I love Graffiti street art, and your shots have been AMAZING.....I sincerely hope that the owners and developers lose their shirts on their Luxury Condos....and please you should Publish a Book...a would Definitely Buy it....!!!!!
@michaelelliott I am so thankful you took us there. I had such an amazing experience that I will not forget.. especially since we won't be able to go back to that! I am shocked, like jaw-droppingly shocked that it has been painted over. What a loss.
These stories really tug at my heart. It is incomprehensible to me how people de-value some forms of art, while over-valuing others. Art is LIFE - we are nothing without it - artists and non-artists alike.
This place (judging from your fabulous pics) was an inspired place - one where people could really show their talents and express themselves. I think you NEED to do a book. Keep us updated. I will buy one, without a doubt.
Very sad to see that artwork be replaced by condos. Thank goodness it has been preserved through these photos. I agree with @maggotx and others - you need to publish a book.
NOOOOOO!!!!!!!! :( I hope the graffiti artists paint on whatever gets built there. I can't believe this. I so wanted to make it to NYC and have a chance to meet up with you and do the 5 Ptz thing. This is horrible news!
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I hope you do publish your book to at least immortalize what used to be.
― Banksy
Such a loss. Somewhere, someone will start another one. The people always fight back! Thanks for sharing.
Hope you carry on the idea of a book of graffiti shots now that the site is no more: start with that immediately, now that the topic is hot. You have all the material ready!!!
Anyway, thanks for telling me to go there. I consider myself lucky to have been able to see that incredible place.
So sad! :((((
Tubs Seattle:
The Great Seattle Graffiti Wall:
The fence goes up:
This is a few i did not upload to my project,
This place (judging from your fabulous pics) was an inspired place - one where people could really show their talents and express themselves. I think you NEED to do a book. Keep us updated. I will buy one, without a doubt.