H. R. Giger

In memory of Hans Rudolf Giger, who recently passed away.

He was a Swiss visual artist who became world-famous after having designed the monsters, attire, and aesthetics for the science fiction movie "Alien", released in May 1979.

H. R. Giger with works done for the movie Dune, 70's.

The style he cultivated, according to the artist himself, was inspired by "biomechanics", that is, living bodies with robotic grafts.

• Nationality: Swiss.
• Year of birth: 1940.
• Date of death: May 12, 2014.
• Artistic discipline: Painting and sculpture.
• Style: Surrealist with inspiration in biomechanics.
• Official Website: www.hrgiger.com

Giger's taste for art began in the simplest form: ink drawings. He later experimented with oil, then pastel, and finally with airbrush (his favorite artistic medium). But it was not until he developed his skills as a sculptor that it became clear his creativity was far from conventional.

He went on to design furniture, stage sets, electric guitars (Ibanez H. R. Giger), and even fully decorated a couple of bars that still bear his signature. I have personally been to one of them in the town of Gruyères, Switzerland, and I must say it is striking. Let's just say if the Alien monster were to come out from behind the bar, it would not disrupt the aesthetic of the place.

Here I present to you, what for me, are the 25 most impactful works of Giger from this genius, enjoy them!
Click to see them larger

Bronze sculpture in the courtyard of the HR Giger Museum in Gruyères, Switzerland.

Table, chairs and floor at the "Giger Bar".

Metal sculpture located at the entrance of the HR Giger Museum, titled Birth Machine ("Máquina de nacimientos" in Spanish).

This mural of babies is quite eerie, yet there's something alluring about it. The installation is in the "Giger Bar" in Gruyères.

The spectacular "Alien".

Airbrush artwork titled "Aleph".

Wall-mounted crawling alien installation.