Luciano Castelli is a Swiss master renowned for his multidisciplinary creative expression, which encompasses painting, sculpture, photography, and performance art. Castelli stands out for his bold and provocative approach, marked by a continuous exploration of identity and the human body. His art is infused with strong emotional intensity and an aesthetic that challenges social and creative conventions.
Biography of the Painter
Luciano Castelli, born on September 28, 1951, in Lucerne, Switzerland, is a versatile master known for his creation as a painter, graphic artist, photographer, sculptor, and musician.
Luciano Castelli began his creative journey by attending the preliminary courses at the School of Applied Arts, where he studied under Max von Moos. He later trained as a signwriter and, by the early 1970s, had become a central figure in Lucerne's Bohemian scene. Castelli and his artistic circle gained historical significance through a series of photographs taken by Franz Gertsch, which were transformed into large-scale photorealistic creations. Notable works include "Luciano Castelli I," "At Luciano's House," and "Marina making up Luciano." However, it was "Medici," a group portrait featuring "the long-haired freaks around the flamboyant painter Luciano Castelli," that became the iconic image for Harald Szeemann's Documenta 5.
In 1971, Castelli exhibited "Shiloum," a pipe used for smoking hashish, marking his ascent to art stardom. His rise was significantly influenced by Jean-Christophe Ammann, a former assistant to Szeemann and the director of the Lucerne Museum of Art, who introduced Castelli to Gertsch and invited him to participate in Documenta. In 1974, Ammann featured androgynous photographs of Castelli in the influential exhibition "Transformer - Aspects of Travesty," alongside artifacts by Surrealist Pierre Molinier, who later photographed Castelli. Initially inspired by the aesthetics of Glam Rock, Castelli's self-presentation evolved to explore other roles, such as a young conservative, a movie star, or a sadomasochist.
In 1978, Castelli moved to Berlin, joining the circle around Galerie am Moritzplatz, where his expressive, rapid style aligned with the emerging Neue Wilde movement. These painters, who distanced themselves from the intellectualism and austerity of the 1970s avant-garde, became known as the Neue Wilde. Castelli collaborated with masters like Salomé and Rainer Fetting. Together with Salomé, he also formed the avant-garde punk band Geile Tiere (Horny Animals), where he played bass and sang. The band, closely linked with Berlin's Club Jungle, gained notoriety for their flamboyant performances. In 1982, Castelli, Salomé, and Fetting embarked on a performance tour across France.
In 1989, Castelli settled in Paris, where he married Alexandra two years later, frequently depicting her in his production. He began experimenting with a homemade camera obscura and developed his "Revolving Paintings," which can be rotated 360° and lack a defined top edge. Depending on how they are hung, viewers can perceive different faces, bodies, or cityscapes. As Peter K. Wehrli notes, the overlapping motifs "merge and penetrate each other, creating seemingly abstract structures that reveal themselves as representational when viewed from the correct angle."
Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in Castelli's work. His photographic self-portraits were published in a book by the esteemed art publisher Edition Patrick Frey and featured in a comprehensive exhibition in Paris. In 2015, the National Art Museum of China in Beijing hosted a major exhibition of his creations, which subsequently traveled to the Contemporary Art Museum in Shanghai. For these exhibitions, Castelli developed motors that slowly rotate his Revolving Paintings by 360°.
In 1985, Luciano Castelli created the portrait of musician Stephan Eicher for the cover of the album "I Tell This Night." In 2011, the portrait "Luciano I" by Franz Gertsch was sold at a Sotheby’s auction for 2.3 million Swiss francs.
Style, Movement, and Subjects
Luciano Castelli is widely recognized as a prominent figure within the "Neue Wilde" (New Wild Ones) movement, a group of artists that emerged in Germany in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Neue Wilde creatives were known for their rejection of the minimalist and conceptual art that had dominated the previous decade, embracing instead a return to expressive, figurative production that was both raw and emotionally charged. This movement was characterized by its energetic, impulsive, and often chaotic style, reflecting a desire to break free from the intellectual rigidity that had come to define much of contemporary art at the time.
Castelli’s contribution to the Neue Wilde movement was significant, as his art embodied the movement’s core principles of spontaneity and emotional intensity. His creations are a vivid blend of figurative and abstract elements, often marked by an explosive use of color that creates a sense of immediacy and dynamism. This bold use of color is one of the hallmarks of Castelli’s style, where vivid reds, blues, and yellows clash and blend on the canvas, generating a powerful visual impact.
The theatricality of Castelli's creation is another distinctive feature. His productions are not merely visual representations but are imbued with a performative quality that draws the viewer into a narrative or emotional experience. This theatrical aspect is closely linked to the dramatic poses and compositions that Castelli employs, where figures are often depicted in exaggerated, almost contorted positions. These figures, whether male or female, are typically rendered with a sense of tension and movement, as if caught in the midst of an intense physical or emotional experience.
Central to Castelli's creative exploration is the human body, which he often uses as a canvas to explore broader themes of identity, gender, and sexuality. His work frequently challenges conventional representations of the body, presenting it in ways that blur the lines between male and female, strength and vulnerability, beauty and grotesqueness. This exploration of the body is not just about physical form but also about the deeper, often hidden aspects of identity and self-expression.
One of the most striking aspects of Castelli's art is his exploration of gender identity. At a time when discussions around gender fluidity and non-binary identities were far less common, Castelli was already pushing the boundaries of how gender could be represented and understood in art. He often used his own body as the subject of his production, creating a series of performative self-portraits and photographs that challenged traditional gender norms. In these works, Castelli adopts various personas, from androgynous figures to hyper-masculine or hyper-feminine characters, using makeup, costumes, and poses to transform his appearance and question the rigidity of gender roles.
These self-portraits are not just about personal expression but are also a commentary on the performative nature of identity itself. By constantly shifting his appearance and persona, Castelli suggests that identity is not a fixed or inherent quality but something that can be constructed, deconstructed, and reconstructed. This fluidity of identity is a recurring theme in his creation, reflecting his belief in the freedom of self-expression and the rejection of societal norms that seek to define and limit individual identity.
In addition to his exploration of gender, Castelli's work often delves into themes of sexuality, using the body as a site of both desire and conflict. His paintings and photographs frequently depict figures in states of undress or in sexually suggestive poses, challenging the viewer to confront their own perceptions of sexuality and the boundaries between the erotic and the taboo. This focus on sexuality is not gratuitous but is instead a critical part of Castelli's broader exploration of human identity and experience. By presenting sexuality as a complex and multifaceted aspect of identity, Castelli’s production invites viewers to consider the ways in which societal norms and expectations shape our understanding of ourselves and others.
Overall, Luciano Castelli's association with the Neue Wilde movement and his distinctive style place him among the most important contemporary masters who have challenged and expanded the boundaries of figurative vision. His art, with its blend of figurative and abstract elements, theatricality, and exploration of themes related to the body, gender, and sexuality, continues to resonate with audiences and influence new generations of artists. Castelli's art is not just a reflection of his own experiences and beliefs but also a powerful commentary on the broader cultural and social issues of his time, making him a crucial figure in the ongoing dialogue around identity, representation, and expression in contemporary art.
Most Famous masterpieces
Luciano Castelli is a contemporary artist known for his innovative approach that blends photography, painting, and performance. His works explore themes of identity, gender, and the human body through a bold and provocative aesthetic.
Key Works
"Masquerade" Series
Castelli gained prominence for the "Masquerade" series, which explores identity through photography and cross-dressing. In this series, the artist uses elaborate costumes, makeup, and accessories to transform into various identities, challenging gender norms and the fluidity of identity. This series is widely recognized and documented in exhibition catalogs and academic articles.
Paintings and Photographs
Among his most well-known works, Castelli has created a series of portraits and paintings characterized by bold use of color and dramatic composition. His works often explore the tension between strength and vulnerability.
Exhibitions and the Art Market
Luciano Castelli has participated in numerous international exhibitions, establishing himself as a prominent figure in contemporary art. His productions have been displayed in major museums and galleries, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Berlinische Galerie in Berlin. In the art market, Castelli's works are highly valued, reflecting his influence and uniqueness in the contemporary art landscape. His art continues to be collected internationally, with his pieces considered highly valuable, particularly among collectors interested in expressive and provocative art.
Creatives Inspired by His Perspective
Luciano Castelli has inspired many subsequent artists, particularly for his approach to gender fluidity and the theatricality of creative expression. Contemporary masters such as Wolfgang Tillmans and Cindy Sherman have explored similar themes in their creation, using the body and identity as central tools in their art. Moreover, some representatives of neo-expressionism and performance art have found in Castelli a reference point for his ability to challenge conventions and push art into unexplored territories.
Lesser-Known Facts
A lesser-known fact about Luciano Castelli is his impactful involvement in the music world, which adds another dimension to his multidisciplinary artistic career. While primarily celebrated as a painter and photographer, Castelli also made significant contributions to the music scene during the 1980s. His foray into music was marked by his membership in the avant-garde punk band "Geile Tiere" (which translates to "Horny Animals" in English), a group that was deeply intertwined with the countercultural movements of the time.
"Geile Tiere" was not just a typical punk band; it was an experimental project that fused music, performance art, and visual aesthetics, reflecting Castelli’s broader artistic philosophy. The band was co-founded by Castelli and fellow artist Salomé, both of whom were key figures in the "Neue Wilde" movement. The band became known for its provocative and flamboyant performances, which often included elements of theater and visual art, blurring the lines between different artistic disciplines.
The band's music was characterized by its raw energy and confrontational style, typical of the punk genre, but it also incorporated a variety of influences ranging from glam rock to experimental noise. Castelli played the bass guitar and contributed vocals, bringing his distinctive artistic sensibility to the group’s sound and stage presence. The performances of "Geile Tiere" were often as much about the visual spectacle and the expression of artistic ideas as they were about the music itself. Castelli’s involvement with the band allowed him to explore themes of identity, rebellion, and the breakdown of conventional boundaries, which were also central to his visual art.
The band was closely associated with the Berlin underground scene, particularly the notorious Club Jungle, which was a hotspot for the city’s avant-garde artists, musicians, and performers. "Geile Tiere" gained a reputation for their eccentric and often shocking live shows, which included elaborate costumes, makeup, and sets that echoed the theatricality seen in Castelli’s paintings and photographic work. These performances were not merely concerts but immersive art experiences that challenged the audience’s perceptions and expectations.
Castelli's involvement in "Geile Tiere" also highlighted his interest in collaboration and collective creativity, as the band was a melting pot of ideas from various artists who were pushing the boundaries of their respective fields. This multidisciplinary approach was a hallmark of Castelli’s career, reflecting his belief that art should not be confined to traditional categories but should instead be an open-ended exploration of expression in all its forms.
The band’s activities culminated in several performances across Europe, including a notable tour through France in 1982, where Castelli and his bandmates combined their music with live art performances, further cementing the group’s reputation as a pioneering force in the intersection of music and visual art. Though "Geile Tiere" was relatively short-lived, its impact on the underground music and art scenes of the 1980s was significant, and it remains an intriguing chapter in Castelli's diverse artistic journey.
In retrospect, Castelli's work with "Geile Tiere" can be seen as an extension of his broader artistic practice, where the boundaries between different mediums—be it painting, photography, or music—are fluid and interchangeable. This multidisciplinary aspect of his work underscores his ongoing quest to explore new avenues of artistic expression, demonstrating his belief in the interconnectedness of all forms of creativity. Through his contributions to the music world, Castelli not only expanded his own artistic repertoire but also influenced the broader cultural landscape, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to resonate in the realms of both art and music.
Luciano Castelli is an artist who has distinguished himself through his ability to combine various artistic disciplines into a single expressive vision. His production, characterized by a provocative aesthetic and a strong interest in identity and the human body, has left a significant mark on the contemporary art scene. Through his self-portraits, photographs, and paintings, Castelli continues to challenge conventions and inspire new generations of artists, solidifying his status as a multifaceted and influential figure in the art world.
Selena Mattei
| ArtMajeur Magazine
