Back in the seventies I was studying for a Bachelor of arts degree at a London art college, where we we being taught the graphics course by a bloke who did worked with us part time. He came in one day and set us project that I'd never seen the likes of. He handed around a book saying the film he was currently working on was employing this man and that his art style was going to play a major role in the look of the film and that he wanted us to design teaser posters for it. We were all gob smacked, as we'd not seen anything like it before. LOL Little did we know.......
@@Silver-rx1mh "early bird gets the worm" "Happy wife Happy life" "a bird in hand is worth 2 in the bush" "it's better to have loved and lost then never of loved"
Ha! I was an apprentice at JECKLIN record store in Zurich Switzerland, around the corner from where HR lived. I was 18 yes old and once a month, I had to hand deliver a dozen vinyl records hand picked by Hans Jecklin for Giger. They were friends, and I as the apprentice was the delivery girl. I would bring records to his apartment, he would listen to each one briefly, and send me back to the store with the ones he didn’t like. I remember one time he picked Foreigner 4, he loved “Cold As Ice”. He liked KISS and Black Sabbath as well.
I've always adored H.R. Giger's artwork, it's just so morbidly beautiful. The twisted entwining of flesh and technology that he presented in his artwork was truly visionary. Even though some of his pieces created over fifty years ago, they still manage to be contemporary. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Richard Pickman from H.P. Lovecraft's short story 'Pickman's Model'- a talented, enigmatic man who was entrenched in a world mostly inaccessible to us, except through the brief glimpses he offered through his work.
Love his work. When my wife and I visited Germany, our hosts asked if there was anything I wanted to do. I told them I wanted to go to Switzerland and see the Giger museum. We took the trip to beautiful Gruyères, Switzerland and visited the museum, and had absinthe in the Giger bar. Loved the whole experience!
There are good artists, there are great artists, then there's Giger in a league of his own. I have been in love with his work ever since buying a copy of Necronomicon 2 over 30 years ago.
Yeah, there was no way I was bringing a book of his work into the house as a teenager. I used to sneak to bookstores just to privately scour over his gothic masterpieces😂
@@the2ndcoming135 That must have sucked, my parents while not particularly liberal always supported me in my interest in art, they even bought me a copy of ARh+ for one of my birthdays ( I don't remember which one).
@@absinthe4breakfast299 it wasn’t too bad. It’s just knowing having something like that lying around the house invites a bunch of unnecessary drama. I did learn about Oscar Wilde at a private school with no derogatory sentiments directed towards him. It’s just clear to me the backstory with many more famous artists has a glorified microscope directed towards their sufferings.
1st detention I got in school was 2nd grade art class. We were told to bring in examples of our favorite artist and mine was his. My mom was called a bad mother by the teacher for me "bringing in porn". Mom screams at her, takes me home, and we watched Aliens. We're taught in America, that if a kid is exposed to this kind of art/movies/music, they might end up a serial killer. Better to just go to church and watch the news to see how many people were shot today...
It might be best if you tell your psychiatrist the truth. 'Some days are less bippy than others'... You are obviously not bipolar all of the time and are in total denial
It is amazing how his art could be immediately adapted into science fiction horror. Not just as inspiring tones and themes but nightmare images waiting to come alive on the movie screen.
I discovered Giger's art many years after seeing "Alien". I was in the process of entering Design School when a friend showed up with a Taschen Anthology on Giger, and told me it was the dude who had designed the Xenomorph. I was immediately enthralled by the artworks, and bought the same book a few days later and would devour it for hours. Years later I found several interviews of HRG online, and what struck me was the candid, quiet and nice way he talked about himself and his work, a complete paradox when looking at his dark and unsettling art. Somehow I had envisioned him as a mad, restless and crazed genius, but it struck me as the polar opposite of that.
This is one of those rare occasions where the art influenced the movie to such a degree that the art is its own character creating a symbiotic relationship with the film and one would perish without the other. Also, it seems that RS has a knack for art that becomes part of the movie such a Blade Runner.
the fact there were trying not to credit him pissed me off so badly because the whole REALM of the movies would not exist at all with him and would have never been as successful. I hope he got paid a shit ton
Fun Fact. Alejandro Jodorowsky's Dune was the 1st film Giger worked on. It was during that preproduction that Giger met Dan O'Bannon. Several other artists who were involved in the ill-fated Dune adaptation also went on to contribute to the 1st Alien film like Jean "Moebius" Giraud and Chris Foss. If you haven't seen it, Frank Pavich's documentary "Jodorowsky's Dune" is fantastic. Giger himself appears in it.
HR Giger: The Monster Maker 26.11.23 1118am i didnt know this... i was told many years ago that he was even employed, albeit briefly, for the king kong remake.. y'know that film starring the strung out jessica lange... he, giger, was set a task of designing the jungle sets, the sets which separate the ape from the natives. whether that's true or not i do not know. sounds plausible, though, that film makers had no idea what he was about or how to implement his vision due to their tried and tested methods of film making. king kong remake was a Dino de Laurentiis production, so go figure.. those guys allegedly ruined evil dead 3...... so anything's possible. he was ill-used by the alien production team, also,... it would seem. and had to fight tooth and nail to get his designs featured. so we're left to wonder how amazing the film would actually have been if the sets and models created had been utilized. i'd have given him free reign but there you go - i probably have little concept of shifting units and making a quick buck. p.s giger? supposedly a massive acid head. which seems an interesting way to garner ideas for creating one's imagery...
Giger's Space Jockey design for Alien... Enigmatic, mysterious, majestic, with just enough hint of horror, makes sure you respect even a fossilised one!!! Captain Dallas: "Look's like it's been dead a long time... Fossilised... It's bones are bent outward, like it exploded from inside!!!" Ridley Scott on Prometheus: "It's a Spacesuit"! Way to go Scott, for dissing one of the most iconic, seminal designs EVER put on film!!!
scott admitted in some interview around when prometheus was released,that he liked getting fans ticked of with his film plot inconsistencies...most notably the engineers..
@@jackstraw4222 The blame lay's firmly at Scott's feet... Remember the first 30 minutes of the film? The cave painting in Scotland, the holo-rubics-cube briefing showing a 'Millenia-Old-Invitation', the Trillion dollar expedition... ... To the wrong 4kin' planet!?!?! Lazy, dumb-ass writing from start to finish... Dressed-up as lofty, reaching, meaningful sci-fi! (For all my ranting... Prometheus is one of the most beautiful-looking films on screen) See-ya
tbh i was expecting a mention of the videogame Scorn given how recently it was released. it's obviously not giger's work but it's so heavily influenced by him i think it would make an honourable mention. i've only just learned of giger because of them, because i was so fascinated with the lore or lack thereof behind the environment in the game. it's a cool coincidence that you posted this video while i'm currently hyperfixated on giger's work and likewise. i really enjoyed this video :))
Giger's work on the LP cover for Emerson, Lake and Palmer's "Brain Salad Surgery," is noteworthy. A few years ago, I took my nephew's son to a natural history museum. We closely studied the fossilized skeletons of certain dinosaurs when we came up to a mounting of a Tyrannosaurus skeleton. The kid remarked, "Look at that T-Rex skeleton's tail -- just like the monster in 'Alien.'" I just looked at the kid and smiled.
I have loved Giger since I discovered the Alien movies, and I think I was 12 at the time. I am the proud owner of both the Necronomicon 1 and 2, gifts from my husband before we were married. If you are interested in any of the images from inside the books, let me know! They are absolutely gorgeous. My bucket list has me going to the museum and having a drink at the Giger Bar. See you there!
I don’t know about Crowley, but if you haven’t already featured these artists you might want to consider it: Austin Osman Spare; Rosaleen Norton (who painted *from real life* by the way); Pamela Coleman Smith, the largely forgotten illustrator of the Rider-Waite tarot deck; and Marjorie Cameron, a.k.a. Babalon. If you’re interested in featuring something lighter but still awesome and complex, look into Walter Inglis Anderson. (ps) I still have and cherish my “Brain Salad Surgery” LP, bought in 1973. The song “Still … You Turn Me On” blends nicely with the Giger illustrations. 😏
As an artist, Giger is 1 of my favorite top 10 artists. Problem is, I’m still working on the remaining 9. His imagination and skill is virtually superhuman/ supernatural. Terrifying, dark, and morbidly beautiful all at once. 👍🏾👊🏾
Thank you for this wonderful documentary on H. R. Giger. My music studio walls are covered in Giger art, many signed by the artist. I have always found beauty each time I look to see new things in his art, some that have been on my wall for over twenty years. In his book Necronomicon, he speaks of being in France to visit his aunt at a young age ( 5 or 6 years old). He speaks of seeing dead black eels washed up on the river banks that haunted him. I believe this is where our xenomorph came from. Beautiful, haunting long lines with a phallic head and the appearance of no eyes. His art is a fine example of the place inside us that many are afraid, or ashamed to see. GT
Many are unaware of this tidbit but Clive Barker was and still is one of H.R. Giger's greatest fans. Prior to making the 1987's Hellraiser, Mr. Barker would frequent underground nightclub BDSM themed in the downtown area of Manhattan. This would setup the unique leather design to the Cenobites. But he did this to bring upon uniqueness to his movie and not "just carbon copy and paste another man's life's work without proper credit". Mr. Barker was enamored by Giger's works and obviously thanks in part to the 1979's Alien movie. The original Cenobites were actually going to be more "biomechanical" than "organic leathery attire". But along the way Mr. Barker did wanted to leave some of the core designs intact from Giger's works. As a way to pay homage to Mr. Giger's artistic inspiration. In fact Mr. Barker did show his Cenobites designs to H.R. giger to get feedback. Mr. Giger ultimately gave it the proverbial thumbs up. So yeah. The reality is the universe of Hellraiser was going to be more akin to biomechanical than leathery skin whatever. Edit: Forgot to add this tidbit. Mr. Barker did keep the chalky white skin for Pinhead and for the female Cenobite(s) in the first and subsequent films. Obviously paying homage to Giger's white and black airbrush works. Edit 2: Taking a step back to see the Cenobites as they are screams H.R. Giger's Necronomicon IV.
I found Giger's work through Brain Salad Surgery. Fell in love with his style, and I even bought a gatefold/original sleeve version of it because I loved it so much. Your channel is one of my favorite ones out there, glad to see that you made a video on Giger!
Brain Salad Surgery was my introduction to this artist and also ELP. I have to admit it was the cover that got me to listen to the album and neither disappointed my budding artistic sense(s) . It's very compelling artistry. I forgot all about Giger until Alien came out. Then I said jeez that work looks familiar. When an artist is so unique like Giger, Beksinski, Bacon... their work "ticks all the right boxes" and sticks with you.
I recently got a legit copy of the necronmicon for Christmas and it is such a beautiful and haunting book. My s.o. was inspired by this video to get it, I'm already such a huge fan of your video essays too, so it was an absolutely fantastic experience. Thank you for giving us these videos and being a part of our lives ❤️
I went on a 3 week backpacking trip through Europe about 6 years ago. I went to La Gruyère exclusively to see the fully realized space of the museum. Gorgeous. Terrifying. The true depth of detail and imagination in this man’s work is impressive, but after awhile there, one can truly start to understand what he meant when he related to feeling at home in the darkness of one’s self. Each of his works is a fractal, or Mandela of the darkest corners of his imagination, and he has brought it forth and integrated it so deeply into reality. The bar is jaw dropping in person. I recommend the spirit Grande Gruyère, named after the town. Also check out the mountain Molleson? Something like that I probably spelled it wrong. There is a room in the museum where Geiger has featured some of his darker more personal pieces. There are more sketch-like in nature than the work he is known for. They seem to delve deeper into specifically sexual themes. I recommend the documentary Dark Star to learn more about him and his life, but you have put together a fantastic video. As always.
Love that you make the effort to look up the right pronunciation - a lot of content creators don’t do that. As a German I find this extremely sad, to hear so many names butchered because no one bothers. So thank you for the effort
I have been a huge fan of his surrealistic totally biomechanical style since I was about 9...when I 1st saw alien. Just blew my mind. And I went and looked into him and his work. I love it
It's clear to everyone that had not Giger created the main creatures of ALIEN that the movie would NOT have been as successful as it was. a 100% clear ! Giger was UNIQUE. Many people copy him but you can ALWAYS tell. There was only one and there will no one like him again. Great video. And even though I am a hardcore fan since the first movie, I even have both Necronomicon art books. I did learn something new. So, Thank You.
Okay, I run the Alien Explorations blog and saw your use of my personal interpretation of the Biomechanoid III (work 255) (1974) by HR Giger painting. Thanks for crediting me!
I'm surprised you didn't mention his work in video games. Granted I only know about it second hand, but he definitely at least influenced the designs in I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream. Regardless, wonderful video! thank you for your hard work
When I was 13-14 years old I fell in love with H.R Gigers Art. He is really “One Of A Kind” and his art is so deep and extreme and makes people feel these paintings right into your bones and soul👍😉💙
Just wanted to give you props for finding interesting artists and presenting them in very entertaining ways. You've awoken my interest in art with your very binge worthy mini-docs. Thank you friend, godspeed.
This is the best video I have ever seen about Giger. Well done! Thank you! Love all the old photographs too. It’s crazy how Fox studios would not give him credit after literally creating it in the first place! Thus contributing to their success on the franchise! How selfish and evil that is! It looks like Ridley Scott was the one who felt that Giger deserved the respect he should have. I worked on Poltergeist 2. I remember seeing Giger’s drawings of the main monster in the movie. It didn’t last long unfortunately on the screen but it was great to have seen the drawings. One big reason I wanted to work on it was because of Giger doing the conceptual work for the movie. Also, while we worked on Poltergeist 2 we heard a rumor that when his wife had died he had arranged for her body to be boiled so that all that remained was her skeleton. In which he hung in his house/studio. Be fitting for him to do that. To then think and say that “she was around still”.
Great video! Lots of new info I never knew about. You did an excellent job! I had a Japanese imported Necronomicon 1 back in the 90's and was a bit expensive at $125. I had to return it. Much as I liked Giger's work, the book had such a dark and negative aura coming from it just being on my bookshelf, that I found it unnerving and had to get rid of it. Sounds crazy, I know, but it was so strong that I couldn't ignore it. Thankfully the spine was coming apart and I used that as an excuse to get a return.
Early 2000's Ibanez Guitars released 5 H.R. Giger body art Guitars! One of the designs is going for $10,000 USD! It's a zinc body that is hand etched!!! The UA-cam Channel 'BERNTH' owns one.
I was able to visit the museum and Giger himself at his home. I was first turned on to maestro Giger in the 80's via the off limits Japanese releases of his early art books. The local comic book store would only let you look at them if you were over 18, which I was not. But this cesuring of his art gave it even a more profound aura around it as it was dangerous and off limits. Years later I became a showing visual artist and through studying with Giger's mentor Ernst Fuchs was able to meet up and visit Mr Giger at his home in 2000. I will always hold dear our time together and he will always be an inspiration and influence on my work.
I'd love a video on Crowley's art and his influence on others. This one here is such a delight, giving a coherent context to the bits and pieces I've picked up along the way.
I met ihm some years before he died and I know some people who knew him quite well. In Switzerland he always was the artist next door. He was teaching at a local art collage and went skiing with people. His art seems so alien (pun intended) but he wasn't, even he looked scarry.
Beeing a Swiss I am a big fan of Giger for decades. The museum is mindblowing, alone the floor has so many details. Sadly he was never accepted as a real artist but just look a sculpture and you kow he was one of the greats
This was very well done. I've been a lifelong Alien fan and appreciator of Giger's work. I didn't know that stuff regarding Alien Resurrection refusing to give him credit rightfully deserved. I would love to visit that museum.
I would just like to say, I live a VERY isolated life. And I was thinking about toning my art down. Because it frightens so many. But now I am not going to, I had no idea other artists were doing nightmarish work too!!! Wow so glad I finally got internet!!! This guy is AMAZING!!!❤
Giger is, in my opinion, an industrial artist and remained in that narrow (again, IMO) architectural and metallic phantasms of fear. His was a closed, claustrophobic style. On the other side is the like of JMW Turner -- also an artist of technology (albeit the technology of his day) but also a romantic in love with air, sky and the sublime of the infinite. Giger: closed and cramped and dangerous. Turner: open and airy and flush with awe.
Loved this! Highly recommend the documentary Dark Star, if anyone wants more info. The filmmakers filmed and interviewed Giger and his staff for the last year or so of his life and it goes into so much more detail about his work/inspiration/etc. The documentary claims that he remembered being born, which is the apparently worst trauma any human being can go through (simply because we are so small and fragile and incapable of understanding when it happens. We literally start life through trauma) Which is why we forget it; the mind blocks it out to protect us. But since he apparently remembered it, that influenced a lot of his work. Some folks on his staff claim that he was visited by these terrible creatures and his work is a reflection of what he saw and experienced in his mind as a result of the horrible trauma of birth (it “thinned the veil” so to speak). But who knows if that all was just sensationalizing his work to make it more provocative and scary. He did have a cool working toy train/tunnel system art installation in his backyard though that was meant to simulate a grotesque kind of birth and they strap a camera to it so the viewer can get the full experience. Really interesting stuff.
Still have a pack of posters of HR Giger that I bought 30 years ago, my favorite is Li, she's so beautiful... Thank you for reminding me of those gems now collecting dust, I'm moving to a new house next month and they deserve a nicely framed place on the walls 🖤
Don’t forget the game Darkseid! It was what really introduced me to his art and his world. I recommend watching a play through, it’s an old 90s game and it’s creepy how the old graphics bring out the imagery.
I think the most important thing for an artist to do is to create a unique style for themselves. Giger did that for himself. Brain Salad Surgery was the first album I ever bought. I have a fold out copy too.
Super excited for this one, this was probably the first artist other than the random books my mom had when I was a kid that I would constantly look up cause it was so scary but so majestic at the same time
I love Giger and Escher and, because of your video, Laurie Lipton. There's just something about these three that really appeals to me more than most art, of course there's many others from Heironymous Bosch to Francis Bacon and I am stoked to have accidentally found your channel because I can always add to my list of favourites.
Thank you. I've known of HRG since I was a young man. I worked at Waldenbooks and Barnes n Nobles where I discovered alot of his work. Thank you again.
This video is such a treat! I've been a sculptor for ten years and Gigers work is such a huge inspiration to me. I know I'll be watching this video more than once ❤️
This video was one I was hoping you’d do, and great job man I really enjoyed it. I’d love to see you do an in depth dive into Crowley’s art too, I was unaware he painted until this video.
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🎨 *H.R. Giger, famous for his dark and unsettling art, influenced the Alien movie franchise with his unique style.* 04:18 🖌️ *Giger's childhood experiences during World War II heavily influenced his art, providing a foundation for his anxieties and nightmares.* 05:28 💼 *Despite initial resistance from his father, Giger pursued his passion for art, eventually becoming renowned for his biomechanical style.* 07:36 🎵 *Giger's early breakthrough came with his artwork for the Emerson, Lake & Palmer album "Brain Salad Surgery" in 1973.* 09:12 📚 *Giger's book "Necronomicon," published in 1977, showcased his artwork and gained international success despite its high price.* 12:56 🔮 *Giger's fascination with occultism, particularly Aleister Crowley, influenced his artwork, evident in pieces like "A Crowley the beast66."* 15:25 🏞️ *Artworks like "National Park" from 1975 showcased Giger's biomechanical style, which would later inspire the design of creatures in the Alien franchise.* 16:20 🎨 *Ridley Scott drew inspiration from Giger's art in "Necronomicon" when conceptualizing the alien creature for the movie "Alien."* 18:01 🎬 *Giger's involvement in designing the alien creature for "Alien" earned him critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination.* 19:30 💫 *Despite his fame from "Alien," Giger's career remained relatively quiet afterward, with sporadic involvement in other films until his death in 2014.* 21:09 🦾 *Giger expressed frustration over not receiving credit for his designs in subsequent Alien films, highlighting his significant contribution to the franchise.* 21:47 🍺 *Giger oversaw the opening of multiple Giger Bars, personally supervising their interior designs, including one in his hometown of Chur and another in Switzerland.* 22:43 🏰 *The Museum H.R. Giger Bar, located in Gruyeres, Switzerland, is a four-story museum housing the largest collection of Giger's artwork.* 23:36 🎨 *H.R. Giger passed away in May 2014 due to a complicated fall, leaving behind unfinished and unreleased projects.* 23:59 💡 *Giger's artwork had a profound impact on pop culture, particularly through the iconic imagery of the xenomorph from the "Alien" franchise.* 24:41 🔁 *While some critics find Giger's artwork repetitive, his consistent themes of fear and terror, combined with meticulous craftsmanship, contributed to its enduring impact.* 25:52 🎥 *Giger's collaboration with Ridley Scott on the design of the xenomorph in "Alien" played a pivotal role in the success of the film franchise, highlighting his unique creative genius.* Made with HARPA AI
I live in Switzerland, and I go once a year to the Chateau de Gruyeres to see both the museum and the Giger Bar. I also had the opportunity to visit Chur to see the other bar there, and as a note, to say that in Chur there is also a small square with his name. Of course I cannot stop recommending these visits to everyone who has the opportunity.
Great video as always! His art has such a big influence on pop culture, not only the Alien franchise. Things that come to mind are the new video game Scorn and the manga BLAME! by Tsutomu Nihei (this manga alone is worth its own video tbh). Both took clear inspiration from his art style.
I'm a big HR Giger fan and went to his museum last year. ( luckily for a german it isn't a long trip). I totally can recommend to visit this place! the bar is a little bit expensive but the museum is like 9-15 €. When i went into it i was welcomed by my fav Giger painting and instantly cried xD . The Museum has 3 floors full of his art and his privat art collection. there is also a little room with the head from species and some scribbles from his book ,, the Mistery of San Gottardo". This was the only part of the museum where i really felt terrified from his art. Besides the museum and bar i visited his crave and spended a few minutes there to pay respect to him. Also Gruyères is a really beautiful place with good cheese and chocolat.Only point i didn't liked was the tourists where went to the museum without really liking his art and making fun of it. There was a family when i went into the museum for the second time and they' said all the time how disgusting this shit is. I was really offended at that moment but i tryed to just enjoy his art and not to care about them.
First time watching your channel as I was searching for Giger info. This was a good video. Like you said, there's not much about him out there. Also on people's opinion regarding repetitive themes, I've found those people are frustrated artist who couldn't have imagined themselves being so creative they downplay others. This man was a genius. Great job!
Fabulous video as usual.. As i have mentioned previously being into Darker Art... H.R. Giger's works are such a Pleasure to look at.. Thanks again for an awesome video....
I love his art. Not a fan of many monster movies. Alien scared me to the point of crying when I was four. The Xenomorph terrified and fascinated me. As an adult I still curl up cringing at close up of the monster. R.I.P Giger.
I am lucky to have visited Giger museum in Switzerland, I am a big Alien movie fan but also I knew very little about this great artist at that time, the museum was great but certainly I was looking for something different at that time, maybe I couldnt appreciate enough his work and art, I wish I had the chance to cross paths with a video or source of information like yours when I had my visit, thanks
I have been a fan of his work for years it is fascinating and disturbing all at once ,not what I would put on the wall but it is very compelling . I love it . Thanks for this video it is nice that he is getting more recognition for more than just the Alien franchise
I'm so glad that my uncle introduced me to H.R. Giger, he let me borrow some of his books and one of them is one of the Necronomicon series of Giger in wich says about his early life and such, full of incredible and interestint art, the world lacks from artists like him 🖤
I think this Gigers fear was expressed and appeared in an Alien Laserdisc documentary of Giger saying " I have scary dreams " Years later I had the Revelation that Giger was A Remote Viewer.Their are many different classifications of Remote Viewing. In Giger version was his dreams. Or in reality was connected to this bizarre reality and was translating this through his Art. Most of us don't have the luxury to express so clearly are Nightmares. Gigers grand visions explained this world he saw.When see h I s extensive art work you soon realized theirs more to it than extraordinary art or vison.Good Video 🤯
I listened to Brain Salad Surgery as a 9 year old. Mum is retired jazz vocalist and listened to quite a wide variety of music. I recognized Giger's work in Heavy metal magazine when they published articles about the release of Alien. Heavy Metal was an iconic graphic novel style magazine that was instrumental in my awareness of films and art and even music. Maybe someday I'll get to see his gallery. He also started a philanthropy for industrial, heavy metal, rock bands in Europe. To this day, it's still run by a younger artist who worked with HR. I pray and or hope one day that artist will come upon one of my tunes here on youtoob. It's hard to have faith in something you pour your heart and life into. Giger really had an influence on my coloring of fear, differently that Dali. This video is really good 👍. Take care be free. (Edit: new subscriber. I'm rather economically starved, and energetic support of good insightful observations of art can be just as valuable as a few dollars.) "It's not art, unless it has the potential to be a disaster " -banksy
I love the way Giger's art blends artificial with natural to create these unique monster-like creatures. It's like a weird tribute to the human form, but concerning every part of the human body to include the internal structures as well. For those who aren't aware of it, there is a new video game out called "Scorn" which was heavily influenced by Giger's body of work.
He called it biomechanical. Ted Backman the main enemy and creature designer of the Half-Life games was hugely influenced by Giger and Wayne Douglas Barlowe.
Thank you for your bio of one of my favorite artists. I love the Alien franchise and my love of science fiction from my youth are brought together and focused on Giger. It is a very well done video which gave more insight into his thoughts and fears I never knew. Thank you again from a fan of the Arts!
Back in the seventies I was studying for a Bachelor of arts degree at a London art college, where we we being taught the graphics course by a bloke who did worked with us part time. He came in one day and set us project that I'd never seen the likes of. He handed around a book saying the film he was currently working on was employing this man and that his art style was going to play a major role in the look of the film and that he wanted us to design teaser posters for it. We were all gob smacked, as we'd not seen anything like it before. LOL Little did we know.......
That's amazing! Giger’s style is so iconic nowadays but back then it must have been absolutely surreal to see it!
Life is a journey not a destination. We learn things everyday.
@@honorladone8682 ????
@@Silver-rx1mh "early bird gets the worm" "Happy wife Happy life" "a bird in hand is worth 2 in the bush" "it's better to have loved and lost then never of loved"
@@keltar4071 WTF? LOL
Ha! I was an apprentice at JECKLIN record store in Zurich Switzerland, around the corner from where HR lived. I was 18 yes old and once a month, I had to hand deliver a dozen vinyl records hand picked by Hans Jecklin for Giger. They were friends, and I as the apprentice was the delivery girl. I would bring records to his apartment, he would listen to each one briefly, and send me back to the store with the ones he didn’t like. I remember one time he picked Foreigner 4, he loved “Cold As Ice”. He liked KISS and Black Sabbath as well.
That's pretty cool❤
Great story. Best wishes from an Englishman making armour in a French forest. 🦇⚒️🦇
@@nigelcarren no fucking way!!! Really? Do you sell your armor?
Nomination? Yes, but he also won that Oscar for his work on Alien!
I've always adored H.R. Giger's artwork, it's just so morbidly beautiful. The twisted entwining of flesh and technology that he presented in his artwork was truly visionary. Even though some of his pieces created over fifty years ago, they still manage to be contemporary. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Richard Pickman from H.P. Lovecraft's short story 'Pickman's Model'- a talented, enigmatic man who was entrenched in a world mostly inaccessible to us, except through the brief glimpses he offered through his work.
Morbidly beautiful? Only a vampire would say something like! ; )
As a tattooer, he's one of my greatest influences I just love how dark and detailed his work was
I could only imagine.
Got two of gigers pieces tattooed on my arm
Love his work. When my wife and I visited Germany, our hosts asked if there was anything I wanted to do. I told them I wanted to go to Switzerland and see the Giger museum. We took the trip to beautiful Gruyères, Switzerland and visited the museum, and had absinthe in the Giger bar. Loved the whole experience!
It's a great (and somewhat disturbing) museum!
That's on the bucket list for sure. Including the absinthe! 😅
There are good artists, there are great artists, then there's Giger in a league of his own.
I have been in love with his work ever since buying a copy of Necronomicon 2 over 30 years ago.
Yeah, there was no way I was bringing a book of his work into the house as a teenager. I used to sneak to bookstores just to privately scour over his gothic masterpieces😂
@@the2ndcoming135 That must have sucked, my parents while not particularly liberal always supported me in my interest in art, they even bought me a copy of ARh+ for one of my birthdays ( I don't remember which one).
@@absinthe4breakfast299 it wasn’t too bad. It’s just knowing having something like that lying around the house invites a bunch of unnecessary drama. I did learn about Oscar Wilde at a private school with no derogatory sentiments directed towards him. It’s just clear to me the backstory with many more famous artists has a glorified microscope directed towards their sufferings.
1st detention I got in school was 2nd grade art class. We were told to bring in examples of our favorite artist and mine was his. My mom was called a bad mother by the teacher for me "bringing in porn". Mom screams at her, takes me home, and we watched Aliens. We're taught in America, that if a kid is exposed to this kind of art/movies/music, they might end up a serial killer. Better to just go to church and watch the news to see how many people were shot today...
Oh so true! Conform.
Excellent point well made ! Totally agree.
It might be best if you tell your psychiatrist the truth. 'Some days are less bippy than others'...
You are obviously not bipolar all of the time and are in total denial
@@davepowell7168 what? R u slow?
@@colebailey Stationary. I just got home.
It is amazing how his art could be immediately adapted into science fiction horror. Not just as inspiring tones and themes but nightmare images waiting to come alive on the movie screen.
I discovered Giger's art many years after seeing "Alien". I was in the process of entering Design School when a friend showed up with a Taschen Anthology on Giger, and told me it was the dude who had designed the Xenomorph. I was immediately enthralled by the artworks, and bought the same book a few days later and would devour it for hours.
Years later I found several interviews of HRG online, and what struck me was the candid, quiet and nice way he talked about himself and his work, a complete paradox when looking at his dark and unsettling art. Somehow I had envisioned him as a mad, restless and crazed genius, but it struck me as the polar opposite of that.
Giger's art is like no other on this Earth and most definitely WAY ahead of its time back in the 70's and onward.
This is one of those rare occasions where the art influenced the movie to such a degree that the art is its own character creating a symbiotic relationship with the film and one would perish without the other. Also, it seems that RS has a knack for art that becomes part of the movie such a Blade Runner.
the fact there were trying not to credit him pissed me off so badly because the whole REALM of the movies would not exist at all with him and would have never been as successful. I hope he got paid a shit ton
@@KitanaTuliphe did
Fun Fact. Alejandro Jodorowsky's Dune was the 1st film Giger worked on. It was during that preproduction that Giger met Dan O'Bannon. Several other artists who were involved in the ill-fated Dune adaptation also went on to contribute to the 1st Alien film like Jean "Moebius" Giraud and Chris Foss. If you haven't seen it, Frank Pavich's documentary "Jodorowsky's Dune" is fantastic. Giger himself appears in it.
HR Giger: The Monster Maker 26.11.23 1118am i didnt know this... i was told many years ago that he was even employed, albeit briefly, for the king kong remake.. y'know that film starring the strung out jessica lange... he, giger, was set a task of designing the jungle sets, the sets which separate the ape from the natives. whether that's true or not i do not know. sounds plausible, though, that film makers had no idea what he was about or how to implement his vision due to their tried and tested methods of film making. king kong remake was a Dino de Laurentiis production, so go figure.. those guys allegedly ruined evil dead 3...... so anything's possible. he was ill-used by the alien production team, also,... it would seem. and had to fight tooth and nail to get his designs featured. so we're left to wonder how amazing the film would actually have been if the sets and models created had been utilized. i'd have given him free reign but there you go - i probably have little concept of shifting units and making a quick buck. p.s giger? supposedly a massive acid head. which seems an interesting way to garner ideas for creating one's imagery...
Giger's Space Jockey design for Alien... Enigmatic, mysterious, majestic, with just enough hint of horror, makes sure you respect even a fossilised one!!!
Captain Dallas: "Look's like it's been dead a long time... Fossilised... It's bones are bent outward, like it exploded from inside!!!"
Ridley Scott on Prometheus: "It's a Spacesuit"!
Way to go Scott, for dissing one of the most iconic, seminal designs EVER put on film!!!
scott admitted in some interview around when prometheus was released,that he liked getting fans ticked of with his film plot inconsistencies...most notably the engineers..
@@jackstraw4222 The blame lay's firmly at Scott's feet...
Remember the first 30 minutes of the film?
The cave painting in Scotland, the holo-rubics-cube briefing showing a 'Millenia-Old-Invitation', the Trillion dollar expedition... ... To the wrong 4kin' planet!?!?!
Lazy, dumb-ass writing from start to finish... Dressed-up as lofty, reaching, meaningful sci-fi!
(For all my ranting... Prometheus is one of the most beautiful-looking films on screen)
See-ya
tbh i was expecting a mention of the videogame Scorn given how recently it was released. it's obviously not giger's work but it's so heavily influenced by him i think it would make an honourable mention. i've only just learned of giger because of them, because i was so fascinated with the lore or lack thereof behind the environment in the game. it's a cool coincidence that you posted this video while i'm currently hyperfixated on giger's work and likewise. i really enjoyed this video :))
Honestly, I'm not much of a gamer so it hadn't occurred to me. But I've seen the game mentioned a few times, so I should probably check it out!
Yeah, that game has Giger's influence everywhere
I also was surprised that the DOS game Dark seed wasn't mentioned.
Ah! I came here to mention Scorn!
The game was a disgrace to his work
Hauntingly complex artist, his own type of sordid mathematics.
I guess to answer the question I feel like I’ve been to his bar. Just not sure if I went inside because the front entrance looks oddly familiar🧐
Giger's work on the LP cover for Emerson, Lake and Palmer's "Brain Salad Surgery," is noteworthy. A few years ago, I took my nephew's son to a natural history museum. We closely studied the fossilized skeletons of certain dinosaurs when we came up to a mounting of a Tyrannosaurus skeleton. The kid remarked, "Look at that T-Rex skeleton's tail -- just like the monster in 'Alien.'" I just looked at the kid and smiled.
I have loved Giger since I discovered the Alien movies, and I think I was 12 at the time. I am the proud owner of both the Necronomicon 1 and 2, gifts from my husband before we were married. If you are interested in any of the images from inside the books, let me know! They are absolutely gorgeous. My bucket list has me going to the museum and having a drink at the Giger Bar. See you there!
I don’t know about Crowley, but if you haven’t already featured these artists you might want to consider it: Austin Osman Spare; Rosaleen Norton (who painted *from real life* by the way); Pamela Coleman Smith, the largely forgotten illustrator of the Rider-Waite tarot deck; and Marjorie Cameron, a.k.a. Babalon. If you’re interested in featuring something lighter but still awesome and complex, look into Walter Inglis Anderson.
(ps) I still have and cherish my “Brain Salad Surgery” LP, bought in 1973. The song “Still … You Turn Me On” blends nicely with the Giger illustrations. 😏
I 2nd these suggestions!
I came into the comments to request Rosaleen Norton. 🖤
Also support your fabulous other requests (AOS, Smith, et al.)!!!
I recommend all of these and Philippe Druillet, another wildly original European artist with grotesque themes.
Splendid vidio
Im gay
As an artist, Giger is 1 of my favorite top 10 artists. Problem is, I’m still working on the remaining 9. His imagination and skill is virtually superhuman/ supernatural. Terrifying, dark, and morbidly beautiful all at once. 👍🏾👊🏾
I would also recommend the work of Zdzisław Beksiński :)
@@shaharyarshaukat6773I was just gonna say the same thing😅
Thank you for this wonderful documentary on H. R. Giger.
My music studio walls are covered in Giger art, many signed by the artist. I have always found beauty each time I look to see new things in his art, some that have been on my wall for over twenty years.
In his book Necronomicon, he speaks of being in France to visit his aunt at a young age ( 5 or 6 years old). He speaks of seeing dead black eels washed up on the river banks that haunted him. I believe this is where our xenomorph came from. Beautiful, haunting long lines with a phallic head and the appearance of no eyes.
His art is a fine example of the place inside us that many are afraid, or ashamed to see.
GT
In my top two favorite artists, next to Beksiński.
Same.
yES
Many are unaware of this tidbit but Clive Barker was and still is one of H.R. Giger's greatest fans. Prior to making the 1987's Hellraiser, Mr. Barker would frequent underground nightclub BDSM themed in the downtown area of Manhattan. This would setup the unique leather design to the Cenobites. But he did this to bring upon uniqueness to his movie and not "just carbon copy and paste another man's life's work without proper credit".
Mr. Barker was enamored by Giger's works and obviously thanks in part to the 1979's Alien movie. The original Cenobites were actually going to be more "biomechanical" than "organic leathery attire". But along the way Mr. Barker did wanted to leave some of the core designs intact from Giger's works. As a way to pay homage to Mr. Giger's artistic inspiration. In fact Mr. Barker did show his Cenobites designs to H.R. giger to get feedback. Mr. Giger ultimately gave it the proverbial thumbs up.
So yeah. The reality is the universe of Hellraiser was going to be more akin to biomechanical than leathery skin whatever.
Edit: Forgot to add this tidbit. Mr. Barker did keep the chalky white skin for Pinhead and for the female Cenobite(s) in the first and subsequent films. Obviously paying homage to Giger's white and black airbrush works.
Edit 2: Taking a step back to see the Cenobites as they are screams H.R. Giger's Necronomicon IV.
My wife organised, for my 60th birthday, a trip to Gruyères and the Giger Museum. The place is to be recommended.
I found Giger's work through Brain Salad Surgery. Fell in love with his style, and I even bought a gatefold/original sleeve version of it because I loved it so much. Your channel is one of my favorite ones out there, glad to see that you made a video on Giger!
Brain Salad Surgery was my introduction to this artist and also ELP. I have to admit it was the cover that got me to listen to the album and neither disappointed my budding artistic sense(s) . It's very compelling artistry. I forgot all about Giger until Alien came out. Then I said jeez that work looks familiar. When an artist is so unique like Giger, Beksinski, Bacon... their work "ticks all the right boxes" and sticks with you.
Awesome album
I've loved Geiger's art since I was a little kid in the 70s, thank you!
Haro is amazing, great choice!
I recently got a legit copy of the necronmicon for Christmas and it is such a beautiful and haunting book. My s.o. was inspired by this video to get it, I'm already such a huge fan of your video essays too, so it was an absolutely fantastic experience. Thank you for giving us these videos and being a part of our lives ❤️
I went on a 3 week backpacking trip through Europe about 6 years ago. I went to La Gruyère exclusively to see the fully realized space of the museum. Gorgeous. Terrifying. The true depth of detail and imagination in this man’s work is impressive, but after awhile there, one can truly start to understand what he meant when he related to feeling at home in the darkness of one’s self. Each of his works is a fractal, or Mandela of the darkest corners of his imagination, and he has brought it forth and integrated it so deeply into reality. The bar is jaw dropping in person. I recommend the spirit Grande Gruyère, named after the town. Also check out the mountain Molleson? Something like that I probably spelled it wrong. There is a room in the museum where Geiger has featured some of his darker more personal pieces. There are more sketch-like in nature than the work he is known for. They seem to delve deeper into specifically sexual themes. I recommend the documentary Dark Star to learn more about him and his life, but you have put together a fantastic video. As always.
I did my senior thesis on H.R. Giger a little over 20 years ago. Thank you for the new knowledge, Blind Dweller
Love Giger! And your content! Giger was a one of a kind, once in a century genius. I was so excited to see Aliens having been a fan.
Love that you make the effort to look up the right pronunciation - a lot of content creators don’t do that. As a German I find this extremely sad, to hear so many names butchered because no one bothers. So thank you for the effort
I have been a huge fan of his surrealistic totally biomechanical style since I was about 9...when I 1st saw alien. Just blew my mind. And I went and looked into him and his work. I love it
Also, I find his work very esoteric and very intense
It's clear to everyone that had not Giger created the main creatures of ALIEN that the movie would NOT have been as successful as it was. a 100% clear ! Giger was UNIQUE. Many people copy him but you can ALWAYS tell. There was only one and there will no one like him again. Great video. And even though I am a hardcore fan since the first movie, I even have both Necronomicon art books.
I did learn something new. So, Thank You.
Okay, I run the Alien Explorations blog and saw your use of my personal interpretation of the Biomechanoid III (work 255) (1974) by HR Giger painting. Thanks for crediting me!
My favourite obscure Geiger work is his collaboration with Debbie Harry, he did album artwork and body paint for her
I'm surprised you didn't mention his work in video games. Granted I only know about it second hand, but he definitely at least influenced the designs in I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream. Regardless, wonderful video! thank you for your hard work
When I was 13-14 years old I fell in love with H.R Gigers Art. He is really “One Of A Kind” and his art is so deep and extreme and makes people feel these paintings right into your bones and soul👍😉💙
Excellent stuff as always. Looking at all these Giger paintings is like looking at the inside of every Alien ship
Just wanted to give you props for finding interesting artists and presenting them in very entertaining ways. You've awoken my interest in art with your very binge worthy mini-docs. Thank you friend, godspeed.
Your video's are always so damn good! Loved this one. I hope one day you'll do a video on Nicholas Kalamakoff, his work is so unique and twisted.
Thank you for being so thorough and knowledgeable on Giger! This was wonderful to learn so much about an artist I find fascinating
This is the best video I have ever seen about Giger. Well done! Thank you!
Love all the old photographs too. It’s crazy how Fox studios would not give him credit after literally creating it in the first place! Thus contributing to their success on the franchise! How selfish and evil that is! It looks like Ridley Scott was the one who felt that Giger deserved the respect he should have. I worked on Poltergeist 2. I remember seeing Giger’s drawings of the main monster in the movie. It didn’t last long unfortunately on the screen but it was great to have seen the drawings. One big reason I wanted to work on it was because of Giger doing the conceptual work for the movie. Also, while we worked on Poltergeist 2 we heard a rumor that when his wife had died he had arranged for her body to be boiled so that all that remained was her skeleton. In which he hung in his house/studio. Be fitting for him to do that. To then think and say that “she was around still”.
Great video! Lots of new info I never knew about. You did an excellent job! I had a Japanese imported Necronomicon 1 back in the 90's and was a bit expensive at $125. I had to return it. Much as I liked Giger's work, the book had such a dark and negative aura coming from it just being on my bookshelf, that I found it unnerving and had to get rid of it. Sounds crazy, I know, but it was so strong that I couldn't ignore it. Thankfully the spine was coming apart and I used that as an excuse to get a return.
Early 2000's Ibanez Guitars released 5 H.R. Giger body art Guitars! One of the designs is going for $10,000 USD! It's a zinc body that is hand etched!!! The UA-cam Channel 'BERNTH' owns one.
I have the Ibanez RGTHRG2 with NY City XI (Exotic) graphic! Sickest Axe I own!
I was able to visit the museum and Giger himself at his home. I was first turned on to maestro Giger in the 80's via the off limits Japanese releases of his early art books. The local comic book store would only let you look at them if you were over 18, which I was not. But this cesuring of his art gave it even a more profound aura around it as it was dangerous and off limits. Years later I became a showing visual artist and through studying with Giger's mentor Ernst Fuchs was able to meet up and visit Mr Giger at his home in 2000. I will always hold dear our time together and he will always be an inspiration and influence on my work.
I'd love a video on Crowley's art and his influence on others. This one here is such a delight, giving a coherent context to the bits and pieces I've picked up along the way.
Stunning video, deeply researched - thank you so much for your highly enlightening work, it is much appreciated 🌟
I met ihm some years before he died and I know some people who knew him quite well. In Switzerland he always was the artist next door. He was teaching at a local art collage and went skiing with people. His art seems so alien (pun intended) but he wasn't, even he looked scarry.
As an artist. I think this channel is one of my favorites.
Beeing a Swiss I am a big fan of Giger for decades. The museum is mindblowing, alone the floor has so many details.
Sadly he was never accepted as a real artist but just look a sculpture and you kow he was one of the greats
This was very well done. I've been a lifelong Alien fan and appreciator of Giger's work. I didn't know that stuff regarding Alien Resurrection refusing to give him credit rightfully deserved. I would love to visit that museum.
I would just like to say, I live a VERY isolated life. And I was thinking about toning my art down. Because it frightens so many. But now I am not going to, I had no idea other artists were doing nightmarish work too!!! Wow so glad I finally got internet!!! This guy is AMAZING!!!❤
Giger is, in my opinion, an industrial artist and remained in that narrow (again, IMO) architectural and metallic phantasms of fear. His was a closed, claustrophobic style. On the other side is the like of JMW Turner -- also an artist of technology (albeit the technology of his day) but also a romantic in love with air, sky and the sublime of the infinite. Giger: closed and cramped and dangerous. Turner: open and airy and flush with awe.
Loved this! Highly recommend the documentary Dark Star, if anyone wants more info. The filmmakers filmed and interviewed Giger and his staff for the last year or so of his life and it goes into so much more detail about his work/inspiration/etc.
The documentary claims that he remembered being born, which is the apparently worst trauma any human being can go through (simply because we are so small and fragile and incapable of understanding when it happens. We literally start life through trauma) Which is why we forget it; the mind blocks it out to protect us. But since he apparently remembered it, that influenced a lot of his work. Some folks on his staff claim that he was visited by these terrible creatures and his work is a reflection of what he saw and experienced in his mind as a result of the horrible trauma of birth (it “thinned the veil” so to speak). But who knows if that all was just sensationalizing his work to make it more provocative and scary.
He did have a cool working toy train/tunnel system art installation in his backyard though that was meant to simulate a grotesque kind of birth and they strap a camera to it so the viewer can get the full experience. Really interesting stuff.
Still have a pack of posters of HR Giger that I bought 30 years ago, my favorite is Li, she's so beautiful... Thank you for reminding me of those gems now collecting dust, I'm moving to a new house next month and they deserve a nicely framed place on the walls 🖤
I had the posters too, but the one of Li was as you say, beautiftul.
The artist's corner is a fantastic treat.
Truly mesmerizing 😮like looking at another word, terrifying yet you cannot look away.
Don’t forget the game Darkseid! It was what really introduced me to his art and his world. I recommend watching a play through, it’s an old 90s game and it’s creepy how the old graphics bring out the imagery.
definitely had an effect on my drawing and paintings. I didnt consciously think about ginger while doing them but obviously very influenced
I'm a painter and I have a book of his work. It's my most treasured book. He was a huge influence on my art. A singular individual.
I think the most important thing for an artist to do is to create a unique style for themselves. Giger did that for himself. Brain Salad Surgery was the first album I ever bought. I have a fold out copy too.
I remember seeing his art in the 80's. I didn't even know his name. I think some may have ended up in Omni magazine. Very cool. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this video. I learned some things I didn’t know about my favorite artist.
This is an excellent documentary! Thanks!
Man, over this year you are covering all my favorite artists! Great video
I just love love love your content and your insights. Keep up the great work!!
Super excited for this one, this was probably the first artist other than the random books my mom had when I was a kid that I would constantly look up cause it was so scary but so majestic at the same time
I love Giger and Escher and, because of your video, Laurie Lipton. There's just something about these three that really appeals to me more than most art, of course there's many others from Heironymous Bosch to Francis Bacon and I am stoked to have accidentally found your channel because I can always add to my list of favourites.
Thank you. I've known of HRG since I was a young man. I worked at Waldenbooks and Barnes n Nobles where I discovered alot of his work. Thank you again.
This video is such a treat! I've been a sculptor for ten years and Gigers work is such a huge inspiration to me. I know I'll be watching this video more than once ❤️
I really enjoy your videos, you see the work and the love you put from the research til the making of the whole presentation! Thanks!
Wow thank you! Hopefully you'll love the new video I'm releasing tomorrow as well 😇
This video was one I was hoping you’d do, and great job man I really enjoyed it. I’d love to see you do an in depth dive into Crowley’s art too, I was unaware he painted until this video.
I recently just went to the HR GIGER museum absolutely mind blowing.
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:
00:00 🎨 *H.R. Giger, famous for his dark and unsettling art, influenced the Alien movie franchise with his unique style.*
04:18 🖌️ *Giger's childhood experiences during World War II heavily influenced his art, providing a foundation for his anxieties and nightmares.*
05:28 💼 *Despite initial resistance from his father, Giger pursued his passion for art, eventually becoming renowned for his biomechanical style.*
07:36 🎵 *Giger's early breakthrough came with his artwork for the Emerson, Lake & Palmer album "Brain Salad Surgery" in 1973.*
09:12 📚 *Giger's book "Necronomicon," published in 1977, showcased his artwork and gained international success despite its high price.*
12:56 🔮 *Giger's fascination with occultism, particularly Aleister Crowley, influenced his artwork, evident in pieces like "A Crowley the beast66."*
15:25 🏞️ *Artworks like "National Park" from 1975 showcased Giger's biomechanical style, which would later inspire the design of creatures in the Alien franchise.*
16:20 🎨 *Ridley Scott drew inspiration from Giger's art in "Necronomicon" when conceptualizing the alien creature for the movie "Alien."*
18:01 🎬 *Giger's involvement in designing the alien creature for "Alien" earned him critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination.*
19:30 💫 *Despite his fame from "Alien," Giger's career remained relatively quiet afterward, with sporadic involvement in other films until his death in 2014.*
21:09 🦾 *Giger expressed frustration over not receiving credit for his designs in subsequent Alien films, highlighting his significant contribution to the franchise.*
21:47 🍺 *Giger oversaw the opening of multiple Giger Bars, personally supervising their interior designs, including one in his hometown of Chur and another in Switzerland.*
22:43 🏰 *The Museum H.R. Giger Bar, located in Gruyeres, Switzerland, is a four-story museum housing the largest collection of Giger's artwork.*
23:36 🎨 *H.R. Giger passed away in May 2014 due to a complicated fall, leaving behind unfinished and unreleased projects.*
23:59 💡 *Giger's artwork had a profound impact on pop culture, particularly through the iconic imagery of the xenomorph from the "Alien" franchise.*
24:41 🔁 *While some critics find Giger's artwork repetitive, his consistent themes of fear and terror, combined with meticulous craftsmanship, contributed to its enduring impact.*
25:52 🎥 *Giger's collaboration with Ridley Scott on the design of the xenomorph in "Alien" played a pivotal role in the success of the film franchise, highlighting his unique creative genius.*
Made with HARPA AI
Giger also did the album artwork for Danzig’s How the Gods Kill. Combine the art and music. It will make your hair stand on end 🤘
I live in Switzerland, and I go once a year to the Chateau de Gruyeres to see both the museum and the Giger Bar. I also had the opportunity to visit Chur to see the other bar there, and as a note, to say that in Chur there is also a small square with his name. Of course I cannot stop recommending these visits to everyone who has the opportunity.
Great video as always! His art has such a big influence on pop culture, not only the Alien franchise. Things that come to mind are the new video game Scorn and the manga BLAME! by Tsutomu Nihei (this manga alone is worth its own video tbh). Both took clear inspiration from his art style.
SCORN warrants one, too, honestly. The storytelling through art is incredibly admirable.
don’t forget his influence on video games and bio mechanical tattoos.
i wish we could see the hr giger version of dune. that would have been insane
I've been to the bar and museum, highly recommend going, seeing his artwork it's sooo worth it and sitting at the bar is fun. Best of luck!
I'm a big HR Giger fan and went to his museum last year. ( luckily for a german it isn't a long trip). I totally can recommend to visit this place! the bar is a little bit expensive but the museum is like 9-15 €. When i went into it i was welcomed by my fav Giger painting and instantly cried xD . The Museum has 3 floors full of his art and his privat art collection. there is also a little room with the head from species and some scribbles from his book ,, the Mistery of San Gottardo". This was the only part of the museum where i really felt terrified from his art. Besides the museum and bar i visited his crave and spended a few minutes there to pay respect to him. Also Gruyères is a really beautiful place with good cheese and chocolat.Only point i didn't liked was the tourists where went to the museum without really liking his art and making fun of it. There was a family when i went into the museum for the second time and they' said all the time how disgusting this shit is. I was really offended at that moment but i tryed to just enjoy his art and not to care about them.
A Crowley video would definitely be nice to see. I'm interested!
First time watching your channel as I was searching for Giger info. This was a good video. Like you said, there's not much about him out there. Also on people's opinion regarding repetitive themes, I've found those people are frustrated artist who couldn't have imagined themselves being so creative they downplay others. This man was a genius. Great job!
If you do check out the Giger bar, you should vlog it.
Fabulous video as usual.. As i have mentioned previously being into Darker Art... H.R. Giger's works are such a Pleasure to look at.. Thanks again for an awesome video....
Thanks so much for the feature, brother. And of all things, in a Giger video! Great episode. Much love from L.A.
You're most welcome Haro! Keep up he amazing art mate 😁
I love his art. Not a fan of many monster movies. Alien scared me to the point of crying when I was four. The Xenomorph terrified and fascinated me. As an adult I still curl up cringing at close up of the monster. R.I.P Giger.
I am lucky to have visited Giger museum in Switzerland, I am a big Alien movie fan but also I knew very little about this great artist at that time, the museum was great but certainly I was looking for something different at that time, maybe I couldnt appreciate enough his work and art, I wish I had the chance to cross paths with a video or source of information like yours when I had my visit, thanks
Absolutely awesome video. Even if I'm very familiar with the artist, you always manage to bring up information that I've never heard before.
Glad I gave you a few new facts here and there 😁
I have been a fan of his work for years it is fascinating and disturbing all at once ,not what I would put on the wall but it is very compelling . I love it . Thanks for this video it is nice that he is getting more recognition for more than just the Alien franchise
I'm so glad that my uncle introduced me to H.R. Giger, he let me borrow some of his books and one of them is one of the Necronomicon series of Giger in wich says about his early life and such, full of incredible and interestint art, the world lacks from artists like him 🖤
The artist haro is featured on the band katatonia's recent album with the crowned figure you used at the end.
I think this Gigers fear was expressed and appeared in an Alien Laserdisc documentary of Giger saying " I have scary dreams " Years later I had the Revelation that Giger was A Remote Viewer.Their are many different classifications of Remote Viewing. In Giger version was his dreams. Or in reality was connected to this bizarre reality and was translating this through his Art. Most of us don't have the luxury to express so clearly are Nightmares. Gigers grand visions explained this world he saw.When see h I s extensive art work you soon realized theirs more to it than extraordinary art or vison.Good Video 🤯
I listened to Brain Salad Surgery as a 9 year old. Mum is retired jazz vocalist and listened to quite a wide variety of music. I recognized Giger's work in Heavy metal magazine when they published articles about the release of Alien. Heavy Metal was an iconic graphic novel style magazine that was instrumental in my awareness of films and art and even music.
Maybe someday I'll get to see his gallery. He also started a philanthropy for industrial, heavy metal, rock bands in Europe. To this day, it's still run by a younger artist who worked with HR.
I pray and or hope one day that artist will come upon one of my tunes here on youtoob.
It's hard to have faith in something you pour your heart and life into.
Giger really had an influence on my coloring of fear, differently that Dali.
This video is really good 👍. Take care be free. (Edit: new subscriber. I'm rather economically starved, and energetic support of good insightful observations of art can be just as valuable as a few dollars.) "It's not art, unless it has the potential to be a disaster " -banksy
I love the way Giger's art blends artificial with natural to create these unique monster-like creatures. It's like a weird tribute to the human form, but concerning every part of the human body to include the internal structures as well. For those who aren't aware of it, there is a new video game out called "Scorn" which was heavily influenced by Giger's body of work.
He called it biomechanical. Ted Backman the main enemy and creature designer of the Half-Life games was hugely influenced by Giger and Wayne Douglas Barlowe.
Giger, WE ALL KNOW you are the master behind all the Alien Franchise designs and creations. The “Engineer” concept is also YOURS.
Thank you for making this. It was presented in a really accessible way. 🙂
This episode has been so enjoyable. Really top notch stuff. Thank you so much for doing Giger!!
Thank you for your bio of one of my favorite artists. I love the Alien franchise and my love of science fiction from my youth are brought together and focused on Giger. It is a very well done video which gave more insight into his thoughts and fears I never knew. Thank you again from a fan of the Arts!
Happy & glad to have met with face to face 😊 . Happy to own original pieces of his work