SHOUT
Manhattans Entertainment Magazine
September 1998, Volume 1, Issue #7
H.R.Giger: Night Visionary
by Afarin Majidi
Set to debut at the
Limelights reopening is the H.R.Giger V.I.P. room. Best known as the Oscar winning
creator of Alien and Species, the Swiss painter and sculptor is planning to create an
environment for his sculptures. The surreal pieces are imported to Gatiens Gothic
netherworld from Switzerland. Some of Gigers creations which are expected to grace
the Limelight are a mural; four sand-cast alluminium tables with deep-etched reliefs by
the artist; six condor-like birds, which swoop down from above; a large Swiss Crosswatch
a sculptural takeoff on the Swatch watch which serves
as a chandelier-like piece with television screens at each of its four corners; and seven
or eight windows, all
of which will contain light boxes feautering his paintings.
How Giger became a part of the Limelights
reemergence is an organic progression. The cavernous Limelight as the setting for the
artists eerie works is a flawless union. And after all, New York is the logical
place for Gigers work to be displayed in the U.S., since it is the one and only city
in the country that he finds inspiring. During his trip to New York, in the autumn of
1977, Giger was amazed by his surroundings. In retospect, he wrote "There is no
crazier place imaginable. I was half in trance, and totally overhelmed." This trip
ignited the artists passion to create his New York City Series paintings.One of the
most important Surrealist artists of the late century, Giger is a visionary, often drawing
inspiration from the terror of the subconscious. "I paint what frightens me," he
explains. Looking into the future with a critical eye on the choices man makes in an existential search
for scientific, intellectual, and spiritual answers to life, Giger foresees the danger of
our next evolutionary step.
It is important to Giger that his work is accessible to the public. And now, the artist
reappears at the Limelight, years after his exhibit. The Dune you will never see
was exhibited there in 1984. Were glad to have you back!
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