Taking Questions for H.R Giger Interview

[BlackWatch]

Not been able to think of any good questions but I'll post what I've got (I've not read all previous posts so excuse me if I repeat any questions asked already):

- When and how did the idea for the design of the Alien creature take shape? What was your inspiration? With the final design did you attain what you first set out for?

- When creating the design of the alien creature did you realized how iconic it would prove to become, spawning three sequels and two spin-offs and emerging as one of the most memorable in both film history and pop culture, or is that not something you ever consider?

- Ridley Scott seemed to give you complete creative freedom with the design and creation of the Alien, how does that compare to other projects you've been commissioned on, including the creature design for Species?

- Compared to your complete body of work as an artist and designer how significant, to you personally, is the Alien design?

That's all I have at the moment. If I think of any more I'll add them. As previously mentioned, it's hard to think of questions not already asked/discussed!

[wmmvrrvrrmm]

Although it's not specifically related to Alien, someone I know want's Giger to be asked about his work on Jodorowsky's Dune. Well that could be asking about his ideas for designs for the castle Harkonnen and whatt else he might have had as ideas for the Giedi Prime planet.

[Hudson]

Son of a BITCH!

I got back JUST in time to miss the deadline to submit a question to H.R. Giger. What a terrible fan I am.

But actually, I don't know what I'd ask the guy anyway.

I'm very pleased that this interview is happening with him though; "we" haven't heard from him in a while it doesn't seem like.

Dennis, you better have a section on yourself in Alien Makers III.

[Sebastian]

I quite literally just arrived back home from Zurich, and I gotta say - Giger is one cool cat. (so's his cat!)

Well one thing, Giger is going to admit Dali's influence in general, and it might be too much to expect him to have known about that "Dalien" image back then, but it would be fun if he knew about it one way or the other

We talked a bit off the record about the Dalien (I showed him that picture) but it was difficult trying to get the right answers you were looking for due to his limitation in English. However he did say it was a very wonderful image and that it's impossible not to be influenced by Dali - but he meant that more in general rather than just the Alien design itself.

I'm gonna get the film developed I shot in his house tomorrow, so I might have something to show forth later this week (depending on wether or not Dennis would like me to wait until he's finished with Makers III).

[Hudson]

I can't believe you met him. That's incredible not only for an Alien fan, but for a fan of art in general.

That's one awesome Christmas present to say the least. I'm jealous and definitely want to hear more about this visit.

[Sebastian]

I couldn't resist the temptation of posting this.

I can't believe you met him. That's incredible not only for an Alien fan, but for a fan of art in general.

It's still unreal to me.

[xeno_alpha]

I couldn't resist the temptation of posting this.


It's still unreal to me.

(+) You lucky, lucky git!!!! I'm so jealous mate 

[LargeLeader]

I couldn't resist the temptation of posting this.

A match made in Heaven/Hell.

[xeno_alpha]

The picture of the Gentleman you can see behind Sebastian is called Fredrich Kuhn II (1973)  He was an artist and a friend to Giger who died in 1972, Giger met him 3 years before he died, he was also known for his 'heavy' drinking.

This picture was taken by Giger himself:

[BlackWatch]

Nice one Rusty! That's awesome man!!! One of the perks of living in Europe is the close proximity to so many other countries.

I don't even know what I would say to Giger if I actually met him. I'd probably be jibbering twit.

Way to go, buddy. That's one for the ages for you for sure.

[wmmvrrvrrmm]

I quite literally just arrived back home from Zurich, and I gotta say - Giger is one cool cat. (so's his cat!)
We talked a bit off the record about the Dalien (I showed him that picture) but it was difficult trying to get the right answers you were looking for due to his limitation in English. However he did say it was a very wonderful image and that it's impossible not to be influenced by Dali - but he meant that more in general rather than just the Alien design itself.

Of course, as we know I thought he would say as much. I am glad that he got to see that image. I think it might well have been in that Friedrich Kuhn painting that Giger started painting the elongated head form (that we recognise in Alien,) which was the following year after Dali drew his female with an elongated skull in 1972 , before Giger carried his version over as a theme into the Necronom series which wasn't until 1976. Another thing to note about that painting, it also shows a creature that's a depiction of his alien robot suit for the short movie Swiss Made, behind the sphinx like female with the elongated skull, so it shows the remains of a movie biomechanoid suit from one movie and the seed of a biomechanoid suit for a future movie.



I wouldn't have asked if the Dalien influenced the Alien design per se, because we know that the Necronom paintings are essentially what influenced the Alien design and then there is the matter of what led to the Necronom paintings. I think it is a subject with several issues that have to be discussed before being fitted together. Another thing to note might be that Giger would probably prefer to separate discussion about rest of his artwork from what was created for the movies especially Alien. But perhaps Giger would have come out with the same answer anyway.

If there is no way he should be expected to remember if he had seen that certain Dali drawing earlier,  well the only reason I noticed it was because it looked like the Alien and if the Alien hadn't been around, there is no certainty that I would have found a reason to remember it.  And I had the Dali book for a few years with that drawing before I noticed it. So maybe the answer he gave was just what the ultimate answer was.

[Hudson]

Damnit...I'm on my phone right now and can't see the picture. Well, be back later.

[wmmvrrvrrmm]

I aim to be sitting in that chair soon too. How I could, I don't know.  I might have a lot to say to him but I might start confusing the hell out of him with my over-intricacy. Maybe he will be watching the Alien Fan documentary which means I wont need to start yapping about the eccentricities of my interests in Alien.

[Hudson]

Damn, I forgot to even mention his name in my audio clips.

Anyway, that picture is fantastic, dude. Still waiting on a narrative description of the whole encounter.

MOD:

And oh yeah, YOU GOT TO MEET DENNIS LOWE! 

[wmmvrrvrrmm]

And oh yeah, YOU GOT TO MEET DENNIS LOWE! 

Dennis Lowe is cool!