5Pointz Resurrected: The Museum of Street Art (MoSA) in New York City
When we showed up at the new CitizenM Bowery Hotel for our tour of the Museum of Street Art, the chipper front desk attendant showing us the way asked, “Do you know about 5Pointz?” We excitedly proclaimed that we’d actually visited the original site (which returned such a big WOW that we felt like we’d just confessed to being present when electricity was discovered). It shouldn't be surprising. When the walls of 5Pointz were whitewashed, its loss was felt amongst street art lovers worldwide. It’s a local legend, and treated as such.
The History of the Original 5Pointz
The Neptune Meter Company was manufacturing water meters in Long Island City until 1972, when it moved its operations to Tallassee, Alabama. Real estate developer Jerry Wolkoff purchased the building, and started renting space out to emerging artists at affordable prices. In 1993, Wolkoff agreed to allow graffiti artists to use the decaying exterior as an urban canvas as part of a program to cultivate aerosol art. The program failed due to lack of participation, but it set the stage for what would later become 5Pointz. In 2001, Jonathan Cohen, a street artist who goes by the name Meres One, became the founder and curator.
5Pointz, named for the five boroughs of New York City coming together as one, attracted graffiti artists from all over the world. But it didn’t stop there. The warehouse grew into a symbol of creative freedom and attracted famous musicians as well, including Kurtis Blow, Joan Jett and Joss Stone.
In 2012, Wolkoff announced his plan to demolish the decrepit building and redevelop the site into luxury apartments. It resulted in a face-off with the artists. Meres One applied to the New York Landmark Preservation Committee, but was denied. Then, they sued under the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA). Just days after the preliminary injunction was denied, on the morning of November 19, 2013, Wolkoff whitewashed the whole building.
A lengthy court battle ensued, and in a stunning victory, the artists were awarded $6.75 million in damages. It wasn’t until 2020, seven long years later, that the US Appeals Court affirmed the rights and monetary damages awarded to the group.
MoSA Bowery and the 5Pointz Connection
Street art culture is such that it builds upon the path laid by its predecessors, so even though street art is now widely celebrated in New York City at hubs like The Bushwick Collective and The Welling Court Mural Project, it seems fitting to have a spot that pays homage to 5Pointz. Meres One used to dream of starting a school for aspiring aerosol artists, hoping to impart lessons in teamwork, art history, and entrepreneurship in addition to technique. He also had plans to turn 5Pointz into a graffiti museum. So when CitizenM offered him the space at their latest New York City location, he worked with Marie Cecile Flageul to bring 20 artists together to build the Museum of Street Art (MoSA). All artists originally displayed work at 5Pointz.
CitizenM seems like the perfect partner for the venture: its hotels feature bright pops of color, contemporary design and a passion for art. Even more so at this particular location, as The Bowery and Lower East Side neighborhood have a strong connection to the street art scene in New York City. It’s home to the Bowery Wall, of course, and many of its structures are canvases for street artists from around the world.
What to Expect at the Museum of Street Art
The street art displays begin before you even step foot in the CitizenM Bowery Hotel. A striking 5000-foot mural by Meres One provides a unique backdrop for the outdoor patio and easily catches the eye of passers by. Upon entering the lobby of the hotel, simply head to the front desk to let them know you’re there for the Museum of Street Art. They’ll check your bags then provide you access to the elevator. Once you exit the elevator, you’ll see the MoSA logo above the door. That’s where your adventure begins.
If you think you’re stepping into a sterile art gallery, think again. Works by street artists like the dynamic duo of The Yok and Sheryo, Vince Ballentine, Damien Mitchell, Elle and Danielle Mastrion are located in the unlikeliest of spaces: the hotel’s stairwell. The truly one-of-a-kind experience starts at the 20th floor and exits into the lobby. Each turn of your descending journey offers a surprise.
The perfect description for the Museum of Street Art lies within its own walls: it is a vertical love letter to the Bowery, and New York City as a whole. You’ll find portraits of its famous citizens, snapshots of the city, historical references, and iconic imagery. Damien Mitchell’s portrait of Allen Ginsberg is overlaid on an excerpt of the Beat poet’s famous work “Howl”. It is also a celebration of the city’s artists, and validation of street art as a valued genre. Elle, who is behind the abstract portrait of RuPaul, breaks boundaries in a male-dominated world, and encourages others to think outside the box. Her three-story portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is one of our favorite East Village murals.
At the end of your experience, you’ll find pieces of chalk and chalkboard-painted walls where you can leave your own mark. The space is mostly filled with messages from visitors, but feel free to get creative if the inspiration strikes!
Practical Tips for Visiting the Museum of Street Art
The museum is FREE and open to the public.
No reservations are necessary.
No large bags are allowed, so leave them at home or you’ll be asked to check them in at the front desk.
Although descending 20 floors can sound daunting, it is a short and easy journey. Even with stopping intermittently to take photographs, it took us only 15 minutes to go from top to bottom.
Conclusion
The Museum of Street Art offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of urban art without dodging traffic or braving the elements. Meres One’s passion has kept his pursuit of aerosol art going for over 30 years. But his commitment to preserving its legacy and guiding each new crop of artists makes MoSA a project that’s both fun to visit and easy to support.
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