5Pointz: ‘The Institute of Higher Burnin’
   Ink runs across the walls everyday, sweat rolls down their faces and the sun beats down and radiates every color across the 200,000-square-foot canvas. Diversity is seen in every spray-painted picture. China, Switzerland, Brazil and all fifty of our states have all gathered in this one area.
   5Pointz, also called Phun Phactory and The Institute of Higher Burnin,’ is located in Long Island City, New York, just two blocks away from the Court House Square station on the 7 train. Every day, artists and tourists come to admire the paintings that have been sprayed on the walls.
   The old factory building was turned into a graffiti canvas by Flushing resident, Jonathan Cohen, also known by his tag âÂÂMeres One.â He was interested in graffiti since he was 13 years old, when he saw a smurf painted on a wall.
   Cohen later attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, and his interest in graffiti grew stronger with time. âÂÂHe produced hundreds of aerosol art murals throughout all five New York boroughs, along the East Coast, and even in Holland,â says the 5Pointz Web site, about Cohen.
   In 2001, the artist opened the Phun Phactory again after it was completely vandalized in hope of it someday becoming an outdoor graffiti exhibit. He renamed the factory 5Pointz and is currently trying to recreatel the paintings that have been destroyed or have worn off over the years.
   The factory has become very important to many people, especially teenagers, who have begun to think of it as a second home. They stand outside the factory with their black books in hand, ready to sell their art or receive donations in the hopes of someday becoming an artist like Meres One. He is well-respected by his staff and always welcomes new artists to express themselves on such a large canvas.