Interview: 5 Pointz Curators Meres One and Marie Cecile Flageul Speak on Future of Graffiti Haven, Upcoming Rally

By
The NY Hip Hop Report
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5 Pointz

The 5 Pointz building, in Long Island City Queens, has long been a haven for graffiti art and artists. The building, known worldwide as a Mecca for aerosol art, is facing an uncertain future, as explained in a recent posting on this site. On Thursday, June 6, the New York hip hop community and supporters of the arts are urged to attend a meeting/rally to protest the impending demolition of 5 Pointz, what has arguably become an iconic cultural landmark.

UPDATE: (11/19/13) 5 Pointz, Embattled Graffiti ‘Mecca,’ Painted Over by Building Owner

On Episode 054 of our weekly talk radio program, The NY Hip Hop Report, hosts Manny Faces and Steven Ortiz spoke with Jonathan “Meres One” Cohen and Marie Cecile Flageul, who operate and advocate for the artistic endeavors in and on the 5 Pointz complex. We spoke briefly about the history behind the location, the results of a recent hearing (including delivery of petitions and impassioned speech by several members of the New York hip hop community), the upcoming meeting/rally and the noticeable lack of support from large-scale, mainstream media and participants in hip hop music and culture who have profited nicely from it, but seemingly refuse to lend their voice to help preserve its cultural importance.

“Underground hip hop is behind us, true fan hardcore hip hop lovers are behind us,” noted Marie. “But where are all the big heads of hip hop, that have made money, that are established now, that could make a call to City Hall? That have access to Mayor Bloomberg. That have access to Governor Cuomo. Where are they?”

“We’re not calling for anyone to give us money,” echoed Meres One. “We want them to speak up. These are the people that are out there that people are listening to. They should be recognizing their roots.”

For now, expect hundreds of members of the independent New York-area hip hop community to descend on Sunnyside to show their solidarity in support of keeping 5 Pointz alive.

More information on the rally is contained in our previous posting, as well as on a Facebook event page set up by 5 Pointz.

Click to hear the full interview: SummerStage, 5 Pointz, Rap Guide to Evolution and more on Episode 054 of The NY Hip Hop Report (June 2, 2013)