5 Pointz

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This venue is closed.

To some, 5 Pointz is a glimpse of a comic-book page come alive, viewed fleetingly from the 7 while barreling toward Manhattan. Or it’s a rabbit-hole plummet back to the stupid-fresh days of B-boys and fly-girls, stumbled upon during a visit to nearby PS1. But, most concretely, it’s the graffiti-covered exterior of a block-long building of artist spaces in Long Island City, dedicated to showcasing legal, high-quality aerosol art. Formerly known as the Phun Phactory, 5 Pointz began as a project to keep graffiti artists off the streets (and subway cars) while still advocating the art form. Today, under the eye of curator Meres One and a staff of volunteers, the space has evolved into a living museum for street art, with urban artists coming from as far as Holland to admire the work of others and leave a mark of their own. After consulting with Meres, painters both established and inexperienced are given a permit, and can usually be seen working on the intricate pieces Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Take note, though: If you see something you like, it’s best to take a picture: Some artworks live for little more than a day. — Vanita Salisbury