Well. The links really tell it all, but looks like LIC’s Flux Factory is getting the boot thanks to the MTA and some Long Islanders that really need to get to Grand Central in a hurry. In a ‘take it or leave it’ deal, the building owner must give up his property for the East Side Access Project linking the LIRR to Grand Central Station. According to the storyline, Flux Factory already fled rising rents in Williamsburg for refuge in LIC/Sunnyside with a 15 year lease. And now, they’re homeless again.

Hopefully they’ll find another home in LIC. If anyone has any updates on where they’re going next, pass along the info. It’s not very surprising that the MTA would callously knock out a beloved artists collective, but it does make one want to wear black all day.

• Flux Factory forced out [curbed.com]
• Flux Factory Website
• East Side Access Project [Wired NY Forum]

Looking at Queenswest through Hunters Point South, LIC

“Across from the United Nations in Long Island City, Queens, lies one of the last empty pieces of land on the East River. This 24 acre lot boasts dramatic views of the Empire State building from 30-foot-high cliffs, rolling hills covered in wild trees, and more access to the river’s edge than any other site in Queens. Currently it is an idyllic, private barbeque spot, with homemade swings and benches looking out across the water at Manhattan’s midtown rush.” -Nathan Kesinger

The rain’s coming folks.

• Some great photography of Hunters Point South, LIC [Nathan Kesinger Photography]

• Made in Queens - Japanese artist Murakami nests in Long Island City [NY Sun]

• Art & Porn in Long Island City - PS1 MoMa [Art Cal]

• Nigel Rollins exhibit open at Art-o-mat, Vernon Blvd [liQcity]

Robert Prichard & Michael Waldman of Queensbridge Theatre, LIC

Well folks, say hello to the Queensbridge Theater. LIC’s getting its first rock club this summer. It’s a bit of a hike from the south side of LIC, and not really accessible by subway, but still - it’s more art in the hood. And they have some really cool ideas which actually take into consideration the needs of the surrounding community…which can’t always be said about the new arrivals.

“Adopting the slogan “Downtown Has Moved to Queens,” [Robert Prichard,] the former Lower East Side stalwart is partnering with developer Michael Waldman to open what he called a “rock ‘n’ roll supper club, similar to a Bowery Ballroom or a Mercury Lounge with a restaurant—a first for Long Island City, a first for Queens.

Scheduled to open this summer, the 5,000-square-foot Queensbridge Theater, located at 37-31 10th Street, may be somewhat unique in concept. (After the nighttime entertainment ends at 4 a.m., the proprietors intend to open back up just three hours later for breakfast, with homemade bread baked fresh on the premises.)

“We want to bring in artists and performers on all levels,” added Mr. Prichard, who plans to book the space not only for concerts, but also for Off Broadway plays, art exhibits—even after-school programs: “We want to offer the community the facilities we have during the day,” he said. “Bring in musicians and teach the kids how to play music and then put ‘em up onstage.”“

*Long Island Rock City [Observer]

The CUNY dorm proposal was passed last night by the Community Board, in a vote 21-10. The Queens Council on the Arts sweetened the deal, and they are very excited to move to LIC.

CUNY will have to meet certain conditions, and as far as we know so far, the building will be 13 stories. The details on this will be posted when the board releases their write -up .

liQcity spoke to QCA today, and essentially they help make sure art happens in Queens. And all kinds of art: visual and performing. They also give out micro-grants of $500-1500 to artists and organizations. Currenty located in Woodhaven, they are exited to inhabit a space so accessible and within a very alive artist’s community, though somewhat endangered.

Grad students and hipsters on the way. LIC further diversifies… that should be good news to some.

• Queens Council on the Arts Website

» UPDATE »

Alternate viewpoint on the CUNY dorm received via liQcity inbox:

“The vote was 10 against, 21 for which unfortunately was predictable. There was a rather slick misinformation campaign where many local politicians were told of QCA’s and CUNY’s outreach to the arts community. This hasn’t been supported by fact.

Their lawyer has one of those curious political backgrounds where one cannot quite tell what he really stands for and I suppose he likes it that way.”

• Sidney Davidoff

Lady Pink aka Pinksmith on 5pointz, Court Sq, Long Island City

I was walking around 5pointz this weekend, and saw some incredible work. The piece in the photo by Lady Pink is a smaller part of the whole.

It’s nice and chill over there on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Since it’s getting warm out, we can only assume they’ll be more to come.

If you don’t know what 5pointz is, let’s remedy that right away. It’s the gigantic yellow building covered in graffiti at the corner of 23rd St & Jackson Ave, that you’ve probably seen on the elevated 7 train. It’s very hard to miss. It’s one of the few places (the only?) in NYC where graffiti is a legal expression of creativity, instead of a punishable crime against material property. So it produces an infinitely rotating supply of art pieces created by some of the most celebrated graffiti and street artists in the world.

If you’re into it, here’s more »

Flux Factory, April 4 - 27, 2008

Well, we’ve arrived at the end of this yellow brick road: the Flux Factory is singing the fat lady’s song this weekend. And the swan’s. Will definitely be an interesting tune for sure. You can check it out the EVERYTHING MUST GO installation and the final party this Saturday, April 26th, 8pm.

• EVERYTHING MUST GO info [Flux Factory website]

Graffiti in the making at 5pointz, Court Sq, Long Island City

Here’s the article about the eventual transformation of 5pointz into a 1.2 million sqft high-rise. Accordingly:

“Wolkoff [the owner] is now waiting for the fortunes of Long Island City to change. For now, 5 Pointz will remain what he calls “the largest aerosol art building in the world,” but he is looking to leave a legacy for his grandchildren.

“Eventually we will build there, but in the meantime, we’ll still let the artists go,” said Jerry Wolkoff. “We have some plans and renderings, but nothing concrete.”“

There’s going to be mixed feelings about this »

Long Island City view of the Sewage Treatment plant at Newton Creek

1) Catching up on some linkage this morning. It seems they’re turning the orbs of the sewage treatment plant at Newton Creek into an art installation. That’s new. A nearby resident of the plant remarked that it ‘smells suspiciously like spoiled Chinese food’. Hmmm… .

2) In more local news »

From the Queens Council on the Arts:

“Celebrating the rich musical and ethnic tapestries of Queens in boisterous style, Live at the Gantries, LIC’s new summer performance series begins tonight in Gantry Park at 7pm.”

The free, outdoor performances »

Proxy/Fiction by Jonathan Lev opens tonight at Art-O-Mat

From Art-O-Mat gallery:

Just a reminder to ignore those threats of rain & come join us tonight. (Well, maybe bring an umbrella.)

You are invited to an Opening at Art-O-Mat TONIGHT, June 26 from 6 to 9 pm.

Art-O-Mat is pleased to present Proxy / Fiction - Paintings by Jonathan Lev

Our First Summer exhibition will open tonight, Thursday June 26, with a reception from 6 to 9pm.

There will be food, drink, and live music »