Giovanni
Castell
For years now this German artist has been continuing his quest to combine complex digital manipulations of photography with architectural elements or virtual spaces.
He does not seek to reproduce reality, as is the case with photography, but rather to create a new reality, an individual place or a landscape, with the aid of an obvious technique distinctly reminiscent of painting.
If his previous works were characterised by strong objective and narrative elements, his new cycle is almost introspective.
The references he makes to other artistic movements (the way he draws on the iconography and the colouring of American abstract expressionism is undeniable) highlight the close relationship which the artist perceives between the product of his own imagination and reality as he experiences it, and the heritage left to us by the masters of classical painting.
It represents a form of veneration, whilst simultaneously regenerating and reactivating his work. Castell draws inspiration and creative impulses from moments of peace and contemplation. According to the artist, this is rather like dreaming. Much is stored in our subconscious mind and can be conjured up in moments of peace and quiet.
The pictures created in this way refer less to actual events or definite stories, but rather portray an underlying mood, the inner feelings and sentiments of the artist, although they are also to do with allegorical symbols and collective thoughts. Motifs and images from different worlds and times, fragmentary traces from the past, the present and a projected future, are grouped together and give rise to a plethora of interpretations and associations.
Biography
Giovanni Castell was born in 1962 in Munich. He is a photographer, famous for his portraits of illustrious personalities from the worlds of entertainment, sports and fashion. He began his career as an artist in the late 1980s. He lives and works in Hamburg.
Exhibitions
Among the main solo shows we remember:
2024
Initium, Alessandro Casciaro Venice (I)
2022
Gallery Alessandro Casciaro, Bolzano (I)
2019
Im Jetzt, Pavillon, Bad Gastein (A)
Im Jetzt, Galerie Binder, Munich (D)
Sehnsuchtsorte, duo show with Nanako Shikata, Kunstverein Friedberg, Hessen (D)
Neue Arbeiten, Barlach - K Halle, Galerie Molitoris, Hamburg (D)
Im Jetzt, Gallery Alessandro Casciaro, Bolzano (I)
2018
Aporie, Galerie Friedmann-Hahn, Berlin (D)
2017
Erkenntnis, Pavillon, Bad Gastein (A)
The Best Bogus Botanical Garden, heliumcowboy artspace, Hamburg (D)
Reality is just a point of view, Galerie d'art Stewart Hall Art Gallery, Point-Claire (Quèbec)
2016
Nuova pittura, Gallery Alessandro Casciaro, Bolzano (I)
2015
Pavillon, Bad Gastein (A)
Triennale of Photography, Hamburg (D)
Aporie, Galerie Schimming, Hamburg (D)
2013
Museum of Modern Art, Salzburg (A)
Galleria Goethe, Bolzano (I)
2012
Kunsthaus Hamburg (D)
2011
Foto-Room, Vienna (A)
2010
Galerie Ruzicska, Salzburg (A)
Galleria Goethe, Bolzano (I)
2007
Found Galerie, Hamburg (D)
2006
Galerie Augstein, Berlin (D)
Galerie Ruzicska, Salzburg (A)
2005
Galerie 22, Hamburg (D)
2003
Pavillon, Bad Gastein (A)
1999
Freiraum Fleetinsel, Hamburg (D)
He also took part to several group exhibition:
2023
Kunst. Leben. Leidenschaft, Museum Angerlehner, Thalheim bei Wels (A)
2017
The Best Bogus Botanical Garden, heliumcowboy artspace, Hamburg (D)
Reality is just a point of view, Galerie d’art Stewart Hall Art Gallery, Pointe-Claire (Quèbec)
2015
Still, Galleria Photo Forum, Bolzano (I)
2014
Muse inquietanti, Galleria Goethe, Bolzano (I)
2013
Flowers & Mushrooms, Museum Salzburg (A)
2012
Museum, Bolzano (I)
2011
11 (11 Artists: Baselitz,Richter, Meese, Kirkeby…), Museum Weishaupt, Münster (D)
2009
Landscapes and Nature of Art, ARCOS, Benevento (I)
Verschwindende Landschaften, Galerie Ruzicska, Salzburg (A)
2008
Garten Eden, Kunsthalle Emden und Städtische Galerie Bietigheim-Bissingen (D)
2007
Back to nature, Galerie Ruzicska, Salzburg (A)
2006
Rundumschlag, Galerie Ruzicska, Salzburg (A)
2005
Roundhouse, Galerie Ruzicska, Salzburg (A)
2002
Bauart by Ten, Hamburg (D)
Zeit-LEBEN, Berlin (D)
Related Exhibitions
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