In 1970, he attends the National Brera Artistic High School II, Milazzo street, Milan. His study experience in Milan is influenced by the growing climate of political tension in Italy.
During high school he becomes involved with the student movement. However, art remains the main core of his practice: alongside the traditional study of painting techniques he embarks on initial materic experiments. The Early Works open up to the creation of new experimental works part of the Materic, Fragments, and Combustions series.
At high school, he forms friendships with his classmate and childhood friend Daniele Arosio and with family friend Francesco Mariani, with whom, twenty years later, he will found Gruppo Koiné. Through his elder brother Piergiorgio Cazzaniga, an acclaimed international designer, he becomes acquainted with the artist Nanni Valentini (1932-1985), a poet of matter. This acquaintance will turn into a friendship based on dialogue and dialectical exchange, fundamental for his artistic growth.
During high school, he is invited to participate in his early prizes and exhibitions which he will attend with a personal attitude of cold and critical detachment.
In 1973, he participates in the Third Edition of the Students Art Biennale in Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, with two life-size charcoal anatomical studies, front and back; in 1974, he wins the second prize at the 9th National Painting Competition, organized by the Municipality of Cernusco sul Naviglio, with the work Ci sono anche quelli senza petrolio/There are also those without oil an informal piece referencing the ongoing oil crisis.
In 1974, he enrolls at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts, specializing in painting, under the guidance of Domenico Manfredi.
In his first year at the Academy, in 1975, he is invited to participate in the 1st Grand Prize of the Press - International Painting Competition, with an abstract oil on canvas entirely burnt in its central body, Untitled, 1975, belonging to the Combustions series.
At Brera, he comes into contact with the academic environment, which triggers a strong sense of rejection in him. It's a place where he doesn't recognize himself and criticizes its anachronistic method and lack of openness towards the city and the real world. Deeply disappointed by the academic context, he interrupts his studies.
As a young twenty-year-old, he continues to associate with artist and friend Nanni Valentini, and together with him and sculptor Giuseppe Spagnulo, he advances his artistic research.
Through discussions with artists and friends, he explores new themes, develops new works, and initiates collective and independent artistic projects.
