"The Castello CUBE is a conceptual work of art in all its facets. The idea manifests itself in the golden cube. To manufacture something that is out of this world, that is intangible."
GAHSP in conversation with German Artist Niclas Castello.
Castello recently unveiled the 'Castello CUBE', a 24 karat, 999.9 pure gold cube worth of US$11.7 million, which was placed in Central Park, New York on the 2nd of February, 2022 for one day.
THE STORY
"The crucial starting point of my career was in New York. One of the greatest and happiest coincidences of my life was finding a room in the studio of Arleen Schloss while looking for a place to stay in New York. The acclaimed performance artist and curator rose to worldwide prominence as a mentor to some of today’s most notable artists such as Jean-Michael Basquiat and Keith Haring. Looking back, her contribution is reflected in her far-sightedness not to set a path for me to develop, but rather to convey to me the most essential and fundamental thoughts and techniques of art, on which I could build a completely independent work.
With my very first large-scale paintings, classified by art historians as belonging to the Neo-Expressionist style, I created something entirely new. My perpetual desire to realize myself, to create something unprecedented, unconventional and completely personal, was thus fulfilled."
Current Location:
I live in Switzerland.
People/Brands/Companies/Organisations you have worked with:
My artwork is represented in renowned collections in Europe, the USA and Asia among others in the Deutsche Bank Collection, The Tomita Collection or in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Sheats Goldstein Residence, part of LACMA).
The work you are the most proud of:
The Castello CUBE is a conceptual work of art in all its facets. The idea manifests itself in the golden cube. To manufacture something that is out of this world, that is intangible. The artwork should always stand alone, with a direct connection with earth. The material is so soft that when it stands on the ground, the Castello CUBE collects the traces of this world. Until now, no one in history has, such a large amount, especially never 24 carat 999.9 gold, processed in a work of art.
THE Qu & A
What are 3 values that you wish to mediate through your work?
My perpetual desire to realize myself, to create something unprecedented, unconventional and completely personal is fulfilling me.
GENESIS, Stations
Why do you create?
Reality of all human communication and construction of reality. Every story, every fact, every picture can and is viewed, evaluated, interpreted or retold differently by every person, even by the same person at different points in time. These spiritual levels form the foundation of the subject matter in the works, which always work on two main themes. On the one hand communication and on the other hand the resulting relations between people and things. A deconstruction undertaken and a new construction of knowledge triggered in the viewer.
How do you create?
Characteristic of the work is the consideration of individual facts of reality on different levels. From a meta-construct inherent in the work to various levels of concretization to the level of concrete material as the carrier of the idea. From the beginning to the most recent works, the art at the highest, meta-level of meaning is pervaded by an ever-forming intellectual construct. The principle of breakage and synthesis. This conflict is inherent in every work. The movement and excitement but also the resolution are a game that allows the viewer to create a new world of the work over and over again.
What do you live for?
Life, Love, Arts.
How do you live?
Happy, satisfied, yet restless.
THE CONVERSATION
Niclas Castello answers questions raised by Creatives from all around the world, posed in our #ASK Campaign
How are we going to bring more focus onto creating positively and creating positivity?
Question asked by Thierry Chow, Feng Shui Designer, Hong Kong
Be your own source of inspiration, be yourself free from judgment and instruction. Never stand still and always be open to new things.
How will the value we place on aesthetic shift in the future, both collectively and individually?
Question asked by Kate Devine, Writer, Paris
The market determines how great the demand is, and that ultimately determines the value. Aesthetics have played a crucial role in everything in life since time immemorial, this will not change, whether physical or digital.
Progress. Progress. Progress. Progress.Progress. Progress. The end. Why are we so afraid of time?
Question asked by Jennifer Abessira, Image Creator, Tel Aviv
One should not be afraid of time, one should be afraid of not having used it sufficiently. Stagnation is not an option. Pursue your dreams purposefully and use the time you have.
This interview contributes to a new media format, where Creatives are in full control of their narratives. By exploring alternatives to narrative journalism, GAHSP starts unconventional conversations, emphasizing values and problems that shape our lives collectively.
Written and Edited by Julia Horvath
Image Courtesy of Niclas Castello and Sandra Mika