Biography

1951
The artist is born in Lucerne (Switzerland).

1968-69
Studies with Max von Moos at Lucerne’s School of Applied Arts.

1969-72
Apprenticeship in caligraphie design.

1972
Participation at the Dokumenta 5, Kassel.

1974
Participates in the famous exhibition “Transformer – Aspekte der Travestie” realized by Jean-Christophe Ammann at the Kunstmuseum Lucerne, Switzerland.

1974
Long stay in the USA (Hollywood/photo series).
Makes acquaintance with Pierre Molinier.

1976
Photographic illustrations for William S.Burroughs’ “Alice’s Smile”.

1977-78
Stay in Rome.

1978-1989
Leaves Lucerne for Berlin.
Joins a groupe of young innovative painters, later
named the “Jungen Wilden” (The Young Wild Ones).
Establishes close friendship with Salomé and Rainer Fetting. Their commun works (His portraits of them) reflect the depth of their friendship.

1979
Founded with Salomé the Punk Rock Band “Geile Tiere” (Horny Animals).

1981
Performance with Salomé by the name “The Bitch and Her Dog” presented at the Third Symposium of Performance Art in Lyon.
Several concerts with Salomé and the band “Geile Tiere”.
Joint painting “KaDeWe” in collaboration with Salomé

1982  
Realisation of the film “Rooms full of mirrors” with Rainer Fetting in the Canary Islands (Lanzarote).
Collaboration paintings with Rainer Fetting.
Several double-portraits of Fetting and Castelli disguised as Indians.
Joint paintings with Salomé.

1983
Concert performances “Opéra par Hasard” (Salomé, Fetting, Castelli):
Centre Pompidou, Paris – Théâtre Le Palace, Paris – CAPC, Bordeaux.

1984
A stay in Venice inspires the film “Venice” made in collaboration with
Knut Hoffmeister.

1985-86
A stay in the Philippines.

1986
Musical project and record “Mackie Messer” (Mack the Knife) with Kiddy Citny.

1986-91
Studio in Tuscany

1989
The artist settles down in Paris.

1991
Marriage with Alexandra.

1993
Invents the “Revolving Paintings”.

1994-2000
Creation of the Cycle “Palio in Siena”: Paintings, sculptures, canvas, drawings…

1995-2004
Large series of „City Paintings“

1995-99
Intensive photographic work with a self conceived camera.

1996
Birth of his son Leandro.

1998
Creates his first glass sculptures in Murano/Venice.

1999
Birth of his daughter Anjuli.

2001
Realisation and casting of large bronze sculptures in Toscany.

2003
“City Paintings”.

2009
Moves to Zürich

2009 – 2015
Works in Zürich, Paris and Normandy

2014
Works with his photographic files

2015
Further evolution of the „Revolving Paintings“
Cultural exchange with China. (Sino Swiss Cultural Exchange)
Exhibition: „National Art Museum of China“ Peking
Visiting Professor, Tianjin Academie of fine Arts