H.R. Giger, dead at age 74:
The artist famous for designing the Alien in the film by the same name died yesterday in a Zurich hospital. In addition to his work in the movies, Giger was an accomplished artist, architect, sculptor, and designer. He ruffled a few feathers during his time on Earth and was known for his overtly sexual themes in his art. Do you remember the poster he produced for the Dead Kennedy’s Frankenchrist album? Totally over the top and so pornographic the lead singer for the Kennedy’s was named in a lawsuit for “harming minors.” The man’s imagination and passion for his art was off the charts, and he certainly pushed the limits of artistic expression. Sometimes society pushed back, as in the Frankenchrist lawsuit, but for the most part audiences were in awe of his style that blended the living with the machine. His art makes the viewer stand still, think for a moment, and say: Damn that’s cool.
The H.R. Giger portrait featured in this post was photographed on the walls of The Abode of Chaos in the French village of Saint Romain au Mont d’Or. Methinks Giger would approve of this place.
Check out this video made at The Abode of Chaos:
Another excellent video of The Abode of Chaos can be found on the blog of Thierry Ehrmann titled: 999 Abode of Chaos. This link is to the page hosting the English subtitled version of the video. There is a real surreal quality to this film and its fascinating to watch.
You will be missed. Mr. Giger. The world is a better place because you existed, created, and you will live forever in your art.
Photo Credit: “Hans Ruedi Giger painted portrait”
by Thierry Ehrmann is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Image resized.