The Sochi Olympics Were Designed Inside 5Pointz Graffiti Haven

Though it may be defunct now, the one-time graffiti haven, 5Pointz (aka the "Institute of Higher Burnin"), still has creative energy burnin' inside it.

In a quick segment on NBC, Meredith Vieira talked with production designer, George Tsypin, about creating and realizing the Sochi Olympics Opening Ceremony in a studio space inside the mecca of all tag spots--next to MoMA PS1 in Long Island City, Queens.

"In terms of design, we produced a lot of things right here," said Tsypin. It turns out that creating "the biggest show Russia has ever seen" was imagined inside the legendary New York hub of underground culture. As far as we know, there are no graffiti displays at Sochi--though definitely check the Olympics' live stream to double-check (there are certainly gritty vibes in Russia already).

An image of the Sochi Opening Ceremony via

Lead image via 5Pointz

For more Olympics Coverage on The Creators Project: 

5 Game-Changing Olympic Opening Ceremony Spectacles

We Talked To The Architect Turning Selfies Into Giant Monuments At Sochi

@zachsokol