As you’re all probably aware, Carbon Festival 2012 is fast approaching, so we’re kicking off our coverage of the event this week – we’ll hopefully be bringing you some interviews, lots of pics and all the info you’ll need to check it all out over the next few days.

First up, however, Art Series Hotel will be opening the doors and rooms of the Cullen Hotel in Prahran to help kick off the shebang. There will be a heap of amazing live art, from the awesome talents of visitors DALeast (China) and Faith 47 (South Africa), as well as local street artist. DALeast and Faith 47 will be painting a massive piece on the side of the hotel over April, and Heesco will be painting up the gym at the hotel. Plus, a design jam, tours of the hotel (yep, that’s my name down there), cocktails and the chance to check out all the rooms that various international artists have added their special touch to during their various visits down here.

This is a great event, and along with all the exhibitions, music, and the actual Carbon Festival itself – man. April … what a month.

Anyways, there’s a lot going on during the day, so we’ve decided to whack down the whole press release – read on!!

“The Cullen will kick off Carbon Festival 2012 with Cullen Open House on Saturday 21 April – a day of living fearlessly with street art. Showcasing the tallest mural in the Southern Hemisphere, a street art installation, interactive workshops and a chance to discover The Cullen’s very own Street Art Hotel Suites, The Cullen will educate and inspire guests bringing the spirit of Melbourne’s world famous street art culture into the Hotel.

Liz Austin, Marketing Manager, Art Series Hotels says;

“Carbon Festival allows us to engage our guests and neighbours and recognise street art as a legitimate part of our local culture. Cullen Open House is an expression of the Hotel’s representation of modern art and we have extended this inspiration to feature works from three street artists, D*Face, Swoon and Blek Le Rat, in our deluxe suites in recognition of the art form which is being embraced by Melbourne and the rest of the world.”

Boss Murals, All Day, Grattan Street Entry, Exterior Wall

Upon entry to The Cullen it will be hard to miss the tallest mural in the Southern Hemisphere – Boss Murals. South Yarra’s RTIST Gallery will curate the mural by international artists Faith 47 and DALeast. It will take a month to complete, transforming the exterior wall of The Cullen into an inspired street art masterpiece. This is a not to be missed spectacle.

Boss Murals will be created at the beginning of April and will be due for completion at the end of April.

The Cullen Street Art Suites, All Day, Various Levels (Guided Tours at 3pm and 4pm, starting in Hotel Foyer)

The Cullen will launch a series of Street Art Hotel Suites as part of Cullen Open House. Visitors will have the opportunity to wander the hotel with a cocktail in hand, discovering unique markings throughout the Hotel.  Spot the rat in Blek Le Rat’s room, as well as random rats throughout the Hotel as well as a Blek Le Rat self portrait on Commercial Road. Uncover Swoon’s muse and see the graphic black and white horizontal stencil art of D*Face emblazing the walls, as well as a concrete spray can in the foyer.

Guests will have an opportunity to join a guided tour of the Street Art Hotel Suites and learn more about the artists at 3pm and 4pm with Fletcher Andersen, street artist and Editor of Invurt Magazine.

Heesco Live, All Day, The Cullen Gymnasium, Level 6

Acclaimed Mongolian street artist, Heesco, will create a large scale mural, live, throughout the day, inspired by the notion of living fearlessly. The Cullen recently worked with Heesco at Outpost, Sydney and continues to support the artist and his public installations around Melbourne.

Design Jam at The Cullen, 10am – 5pm, Cullen Rooftop, Level 6

Swinburne University of Technology will present ‘Design Jam’, investigating themes including Transformation and Cross-
Cultural Brand Identity using a design-based approach to problem solving and creativity. Numbers are limited so to
register, please email designmarketing@swin.edu.au

This is a huge event on the Melbourne Street Art calendar, as is the rest of the Carbon festival and all the events and exhibitions surrounding it – stay tuned for all the rest of that, coming up in the next day or two!

See you at the Cullen!

Who: DALeast, Faith 47, Heesco and showings of work from Blek Le Rat, Swoon, D*Face and more.
What: The Cullen Open House – Carbon Festival Preview
Where: The Cullen, 164 Commercial Road, Prahran, Melbourne, Australia
When: Event runs on Saturday 21st April 2012, from 10am to 5pm

Check out the Carbon Festival website, and the Art Series Hotels Cullen website for more info.