Tucked away in Long Island City, Queens, is a 200,000-sqaure-foot warehouse that is home to some of the most stunning works of street art in New York City. Back in 2001, the owner of the building gave artist Jonathan Cohen the permission to curate graffiti works throughout the building, now known as 5 Pointz, making the aging warehouse a massive canvas that holds some truly stunning works of street art.
Now, the building’s owner has decided to sell the property and have it turned into high-rise luxury condos, but Cohen is asking Banksy to help save it from destruction. Last week, a judge issued a temporary restraining order, preventing the building from being immediately torn down while the artists seek to protect the structure under the 1990 Visual Artists Rights Act. In an interview with The Guardian, Cohen said that Banksy (who is in the middle of a month-long New York City art residency) could help them. “We’re not asking you to give us money, but your words could help. Why don’t you put a comment out?” At a hearing scheduled for Oct. 28, courts will decide whether or not 5 Pointz will be demolished …
