The battle for 5Pointz and signifying regimes: desirable subjects, hierarchies of value, and legitimizing state power

• Published in: Social semiotics Vol. 32; no. 4; pp. 468 - 483
• Main Author: Kramer, Ronald
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 08.08.2022; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: 5Pointz; Artists; Capitalism; Commodification; Conflict; copyright; Genetic engineering; Graffiti; Hegemony; Litigation; Machinery; Property development; Queens; Redevelopment; Semiotics; Settlements & damages; State power; street art; Subjectivity; Visual Artists Rights Act

This article offers an analysis of semiotic regimes that accompanied the redevelopment of 5Pointz and the ensuing civil lawsuits. Located in Queens, New York, 5Pointz was a building owned by GM Realty, who allowed Jonathan Cohen to curate graffiti works on its exterior and interior walls from 2002 t...