LIC’s 5pointz pays homage to a few of the world’s historic structures. Photo by Ciprian Toma

Long Island City: We’re gone not all of 6 months and come back to discover one of our most famous (and controversial) art institutions facing possible extinction. 5pointz: what’s going to happen to you?? We take this topic to heart since liQcity was actually conceived atop this unofficially landmarked building, after climbing up the same stairs that collapsed last year, almost killing one of its own artists. (How’s Nicole doing by the way?)

Some catch up from the NYDN »

Crane Street Studios are now closed, Long Island City

It’s the end of an era, it seems – or at least the conclusion of the six years Long Island City graffiti mecca 5Pointz housed dozens of artists in what was known as its Crane Street Studios. 5Pointz’s recent tragic saga has finally come to a close, as the building’s owner has decided to close the art studios permanently »

5Pointz gets a new coat of paint, Jackson Ave, Long Island City

Yesterday a very concerned and frantic tipster alerted liQcity that the infamous walls of 5pointz graffiti gallery were being painted over with a fresh coat of yellow paint. Sure enough, that was the case, but fear not (or cheer not, depending on your perspective), 5pointz is merely getting a free canvas reset, as the owners of the building were required to repaint as part of the necessary renovations after the recent stairwell collapse.

The builiding owners and the City are still disagreeing »

5pointz artists create mural for artist injured in stairwell collapse, LIC –photo

“Called Crane Street Studios, and named for an abutting street (5 Pointz only refers to the outer walls), they were thrust into a minor spotlight this month after one of their artists, Nicole Gagne, a 37-year-old jeweler, was seriously injured when part of a concrete fire escape she was descending collapsed.

The city’s Buildings Department ordered the largest of the buildings that make up the studios closed and issued a host of violations including unsafe conditions and putting up partitions to create the studios without a proper permit. The complex’s owner, Jerry Wolkoff, said he was heartsick about the stairs’ collapse, and had used them often himself.

Ms. Gagne, a cherished member of Crane Street’s artist community, helped organize open studio walks there. She remained in Bellevue Hospital Center, where she was listed in serious condition on Saturday. Especially devastating, the artists say, was the feeling that the complex had hurt one of their own.

Crane Street’s artists describe their beehive of studios as a unique community: something affordable, where newer artists can hone their wares alongside, and with the help of, seasoned and established craftspeople, in a complex dripping with imagination, all within sight of Manhattan’s skyline.”

• One artist is hurt and 200 are feeling the pain [NY Times]

• NY Times photo slide show of 5pointz & LIC [NY Times]

• Long Island City waterfront photo slide show [Willis Lambert]

• Architect Richard Meier opens his LIC studio to the public [Chicago Tribune]

• A blogger enjoys brunch at LIC’s Tournesol [TheLunchBell]

The stairwell that collapsed on Friday at 5pointz, Long Island City

“Nicole Gagne, an artist trained at Parsons The New School for Design, was leaving the art studio in Long Island City about 5:15 p.m. when the staircase suddenly gave way. Passersby and emergency workers pulled the Vermont native from the rubble.

The artist is employed by Leoworks and her art is generally sold in boutiques. Gagne has donated a portion of her profits to benefit women in India and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“The preliminary investigation revealed the collapse was caused by neglect and failure to maintain the building »

Vanessa Beecroft at Deitch Studios, Armory Arts Week, Long Island City

On Friday, liQcity checked out the art studios and galleries in Long Island City participating in the Armory Arts Week. There was so much happening at once, it was hard to catch it all. Despite skipping legacies like Noguchi, PS1, Sculpture Center, the studios and galleries visited revealed a remarkably wide spectrum of contemporary art available in the hood, from the internationally acclaimed to the local and underground. All of it within walking distance of each other and inside the elusive boundaries of LIC.

At the Deitch Studios, interspersing white nude female sculptures with live nude models painted white, international sensation Vanessa Beecroft brought some high-concept art to the table with her performance and sculpture exhibit ‘VB64′. The viewing scene was just as interesting as the exhibition: against the night skyline backdrop, hundreds of people walking back and forth on 44th Drive, and hovering poker faced around the performance. The live models resembled the static statues interspersed among them, and would move occasionally, giving the visual effect of sculpture in motion.

Beecroft frequently collaborates with Kanye West, who was also rumored to have been in attendance. The sculpture exhibit is still on display, with video of the live performance from Friday.

Another highlight of the show »

Anable Basin, Long Island City, Queens waterfront.

The City is taking a new approach to resuscitating the Queens waterfront:

“The new Waterfront Text Amendment, which is being reviewed by Queens community leaders, would allow developers who build along waterfront areas to provide more lush promenades, better seating and improved lighting.

For the past 15 years, developers who have built certain structures along the waterfront have been required to provide access areas. But those regulations forced them to follow a series of rigid guidelines. Under the new regulations, developers would have more flexibility. They would even be allowed to open cafes and boat launches.”

Other Long Island City linkage »

A piece on 5Pointz at the corner of Jackson Ave & Davis St, Long Island City

Light on the LIC linkage this post-holiday morning, but a nice piece on Meres One, the founder of the 5pointz graffiti museum:

“The block at Jackson Avenue and Davis Street has evolved into 5Pointz, a living graffiti installation overseen by internationally acclaimed aerosol artist Meres One. Meres’s cultivation of freedom of expression at 5Pointz does not cater to a commercial purpose. “I wear different hats: tour guide, teacher, security guard, curator,” he said as he nodded at the building, calling his project a “pivotal point in graffiti making.” Allowing both creators of Rembrandt reproductions and novices to work at his space, he seeks to propel the art form into the next generation, offering weekly summer classes to aspiring local artists.”

Incidentally, 5pointz is just the graffiti on the walls of the building. The actual building is used as the Crane Street Studios, a cluster of art studios and galleries including Local Project.

In other linkage, if you’re hungry for some brunch, here’s a nice shot »

liQcity is Long Island City, Queens. Aka LIC. liQcity emerged as an accident – we were hanging on the roof of 5pointz (a LONG time ago – before the million no trespassing signs… or maybe we didn’t notice them?) and instead of saying LI City, by accident Lick City was uttered. Lick City so represents what LIC could be, but probably won’t. The multitude of high-rise developments definitely brings a generic vibe, but there is still an underbelly underdog and that is liQcity. Q for Queens, of course.

I live in this neighborhood and have a special interest in NYC real estate—which is a lucky combo. In the last 4 years since I moved here, LIC (specifically Hunters Point) has changed significantly, but in a sleepy kind of a way. A number of storefronts have opened up on Vernon Blvd, and some much needed eateries. Still no grocery store, though there is that rumor about the Amish Market coming to Queens West. There was a time Fresh Direct wouldn’t deliver to us… even though they’re headquartered on Borden Ave.

Anyway, we’re eating now. »