Pasquale Castellano
Innovator | Artist | Space Systems Engineering
Main Space Engineering Interests:
ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization)
System engineering and MBSE (Model-Based System Engineering)
VR (Virtual Reality) for space applications.
I have always pursued scientific studies while working on ever-evolving artistic projects. Currently, I am focused on shaping the future of Model-Based System Engineering with Dymension Space.
In July 2021, I earned my Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Politecnico di Torino with a thesis on the sizing of support beams for a solar sail used in the NEAs mission. That same year, an artistic installation of the same satellite was the backdrop for the stage of "Questi ed Altri Spazi: Enter the Void."
I am currently pursuing my Master's degree in Space Engineering at the Politecnico di Milano. Here, I had the opportunity to participate in the NASA RASC-AL competition, developing a concept for autonomously producing fuel on Mars. I was responsible for both the chemical processes/fuel production team and the creation of the virtual reality prototype of the mission. This prototype won the 'Best Prototype Demonstration' award during the finals held in Cocoa Beach, FL, USA, in 2022.
Afterwards, I participated in many other phase 0/A studies and got involved in an internship at the ESA European Astronaut Center, working on a demonstration payload to manufacture bricks on the Moon and on a VR application to simulate human spaceflight.
Bio
I was born in Altamura and have experimented with various techniques as a self-taught artist, including wood carving, acrylic painting, and graffiti writing. In 2016, I studied artistic anatomy under the guidance of artist Gianluca De Cosmo, and in the summer of 2017, I learned oil painting techniques from master artist Aldo Bandini in Carrara. Since 2020, I have been delving into the use of 3D digital software like Blender and Unity for creating interactive virtual spaces, 3D videos, and virtual prototyping.
Currently, my artistic projects are both using oil paintings as an expression of myself and combining this technique with 3D modeling and animations, blending and expanding the artwork. I focus on themes related to the universe because I believe art can play a significant role in the future of space exploration.
Sono nato ad Altamura ed in passato ho provato da autodidatta svariate tecniche tra cui l’intaglio del legno, la pittura ad acrilico ed il writing . Nel 2016 ho studiato anatomia artistica grazie agli insegnamenti dell’artista Gianluca De Cosmo e nell’estate del 2017 ho appreso la tecnica della pittura ad olio con il maestro e artista Aldo Bandini nella città di Carrara. Dal 2020 sto approfondendo l’utilizzo di software 3D digitali come Blender e Unity per la creazione di spazi virtuali interattivi, video in 3D e prototipazione virtuale.
Attualmente, la maggior parte dei progetti artistici che porto avanti uniscono quadri reali dipinti ad olio a modellazioni e animazioni 3D che si fondono con l’opera, ampliandola. Tratto tematiche riguardanti l’universo perchè credo che l’arte possa avere un ruolo importante nel futuro dell’esplorazione spaziale, ma mi rivolgo anche verso gli “Altri Spazi” come delineato dalla mia prima mostra personale, nel Settembre 2021.
Art bio (Italian below)
Art Exhibitions
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Art Exhibitions 〰️
2016-2018
Live-painting and temporary exhibitions in town events - Altamura
2017
Temporary exhibition in Liber Festival - Altamura
2019
Finalist in MArteLive Biennal - Rome
2021
Questi ed Altri Spazi: Enter the Void - Altamura
2023
Sensing the Chaos - Milan