I’m happy to finally share this project with Vandalog. Completed in late February, Hosier Inc’s 1st project “Paint UP”. It’s been a long time coming and lots of hard work by the members of Hosier Inc, a not for profit community association made up of anyone that loves Hosier and Rutledge Lanes, the community, residents, local businesses, and artists themselves. (Formed in order to oppose the installation of CCTV cameras in the lanes).
Not to mention the amazing piece itself by Adnate! Painted over 3 days using a swing stage to access the canvas, conveniently available while the building owners repaired the damaged wall. Not only is it a beautiful piece, it also has real meaning and a real affinity to the location.
The project was called Paint UP; a simple play on words; extending access to artists to the untouched walls (never painted before) above ground level in Hosier and Rutledge lanes, 2 of Melbourne’s most recognised street art locations.
From Hosier Inc: “Six artists were invited by Hosier Inc to submit a concept for a large-scale image to be painted on the rear of McDonald House in Hosier Lane. The successful proposal was to demonstrate a rationale and a design that showed an affinity with the location of the wall & building. Members voted and selected Adnate’s submission”.
Adnate’s submission was a portrait of an indigenous boy looking over the lane way & out towards Birrarung Marr – a sacred indigenous land mark in the centre of the city.
(For more information on the project check out the Hosier and Rutledge lanes blog and the vimeo page).
I’ve always thought we are missing one vital element as a recognised street art city, more giant murals in the city itself. This is a good addition to the few we have in central Melbourne and I hope there are many more to come!
The reaction to the piece was also very welcome. Two major newspapers ran the story, as well as every Melbourne news station the evening the piece was completed.
This great video by Michael Danischewski gives you a glimpse of the piece being painted over 3 long days, as well as these awesome photos by David Russell.
HOSIER INC, Paint Up! round 1 : ADNATE from Michael Danischewski on Vimeo.
It’s also very interesting timing for this planning permit to appear on the vacant building just beneath the air space that makes this piece visible from the lane way. It’s a proposal for a massive skyscraper/hotel, which would not only obscure this new mural, but also completely change the atmosphere in the lane. The apparent reason for the permit is to raise funds to renovate a heritage listed historic building at the entrance to the lanes, but this hotel would also overshadow and change this historic building (The Forum Theatre) itself…
I also really liked this response to the planning application.
If you’re an artist and interested in submitting for Round 2 of Paint UP, send the Inc an email to express your interest (you’ll find the address on their blog).
Video courtesy of Michael Danischewski. Photos courtesy of David Russell.