Street artists receive $ 7 million after wiping out their graffiti

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Street artists receive $ 7 million after wiping out their graffiti

After deleting their graffiti, the artists are suing the owners of the building

 

 

 

 

Last week, a New York court ruling confirming that real estate dealers Gerald and David Walkoff had to pay $ 6.75 million to street artists whose works were destroyed at the 5Pointz Large Street Art Gallery in Queens.

The decision came after Gerald and David Walkoff deleted 5Pointz, one of the most famous places for street art.

Although, initially, upon acquiring the property, they decided to remain a street exhibition, they changed the design of the building to make it a future luxury apartment complex.

The graffiti was deleted overnight and without warning.

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Artists are bringing an action to destroy works of art against the owners of the building.

Following a February 2018 ruling that traders must pay millions for artists' damage, Gerald and David appealed, but the court rejected the claim.

Thus, Gerald and David Walkoff will pay $ 150,000 in damages for the 45 graffiti removed - meaning they will pay $ 6.75 million in total.

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The court's ruling is of great importance both to the artists who painted the building and to all the street artists whose works have been destroyed.

The judge said this would serve as an example for future homeowners and realtors who need to engage in dialogue and negotiation with artists to better integrate street art into their future projects.

Do you like street art and do you think the judgment is right?