H.R. Giger - Man or Monster?

H.R. Giger, man or monster? Giger's iconic work has featured in films, adorned record covers, been printed in books, styled bars, the list goes on. You may know his demonic nightmarish works, but what of the man himself? 

During the production of the film Alien, which brought Giger international acclaim, people would fearfully scurry past the production department that sequestered this strange little Swiss dark magician, lest they be lost in his hellish world. People were afraid to talk to this artist of the damned. But Giger, was blithely unconcerned and lost in the challenges of creation that the film afforded him.

Many would expect a personality that reflected his artwork. In truth, Giger was a painfully shy and private man. Although, it was much easier to meet this celebrity artist than you think. If you knew where to find him in his unassuming home Zurich, it was relatively easy to make an appointment for a personal, private, one on one meeting. Crowds were never his thing.

When I first heard of Giger's awkward shyness around people, I was rather surprised to hear he shrunk from mobs of adoring fans. But he of course is not the first celebrity to be so. 

 

When he travelled to public engagements, he usually had his support crew of close friends. More often, this click included members of the Swiss Hells Angels who were admiring fans.

In the recent years, many retrospective exhibitions gave the public a first hand chance to see the works of the master of Dark Art first hand. These retrospective exhibitions were largely enabled by ardent fan turned big time collector, Marco Witzig. Like many, Marco had a poster of Giger's artwork adorning his the walls of his student apartment. However, as opportunities enabled him, he started to collect smaller works of Giger and gradually worked up to bigger and more substantial pieces. This of course brought him into personal contact with the artist himself. Witzig's substantial collection and personal friendship with Giger was of great assistance with making the large retrospective exhibitions possible.

On the occasion of Giger's 50th birthday, a party was thrown in the Castle of Gruyères. The castle which dominates the tiny medieval village and its stunning location in the Swiss Alps impress Giger. In this location he had found a home for a museum of his artwork. His wife Carmen became the museum director. Now art museums need artwork, and so do retrospective exhibitions. Thus taking artworks from the museum would leave some empty corners. Marco to the rescue, and thus he and collection became instrumental in facilitating the retrospective exhibitions.

Giger's artworks started as means for him to exorcise his personal demons, to keep him sane. Yes perhaps, you might also have to share some of his personal fascinations to want to sit down and talk with him, but he inspired a close circle of friends who were there to help and support him. 

One thing he needed much support with was the cataloguing of his extensive body of work. His focus throughout his career was more on creating his work than keeping track of it. Carmen, along with a few select friends would keep Giger brand organized and communicating with the world at large.

The recent documentary film, "Dark Star - HR Giger's World", gives a close and personal view into the life and artwork of the man himself. The film was in the final stages of production, when tragically, Giger stumbled on the stairs in his home and suffered injuries from the fall which lead to his death. Thus the film became his epitaph.

All photos were shot by me at Giger's 2012 retrospective exhibition in Hamburg, except for the Gruyères Castle which is from the MySwitzerland website. The following video is report on the exhibition subtitled in English, that I shot and edited.