H.R. Giger, the set designer largely responsible for the iconic visual effects of the 1979 film Alien, died on Monday at the age of 74. In the wake of his passing, Alien director Ridley Scott issued this statement to TIME, recalling their collaboration on the at Shepperton Studios in London:
“I am very saddened to hear of Giger’s passing. I think back on how committed and passionate he was, and then consequently, all the security we built up around his ‘lock up’ studios at Shepperton. I was the only one allowed the honor of going in, and I absolutely enjoyed every hour I spent with him there. He was a real artist and great eccentric, a true original, but above all, he was a really nice man. He will be missed.”
Inside The Surreal World of H.R. Giger, The Maker of Alien’s Alien
Visual artist H. R. Giger. Dana Frank/Ovoworks—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesVisual artist H. R. Giger taking off face mask.Dana Frank/Ovoworks—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesPortrait of artist H. R. Giger with his mask over his face. Dana Frank/Ovoworks—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images A view of the "The Giger Bar" in the canton of Grisons. The bar was designed and is owned by H.R. Giger.Martin Ruetschi—Keystone/CorbisView at one of the sculptures by H.R. Giger during the opening of the Ars Electronica 2013 exhibition 'HR Giger.Rubera—EPAHR Giger's exhibition 'Traeume und Visionen' (Dreams and Visions) at the Kunsthaus Wien in Vienna on March 8, 2011.Robert Jaeger—EPAH.R.Giger's 'Watchguardian, head V', on display at the 'Swiss Design in Hollywood' exhibition, at the Technical University of Valecia, Spain on March 4, 2009.Juan Carlos Cardenas—EPA/CorbisHR Giger's 'Alien' at the exhibition 'Traeume und Visionen' (Dreams and Visions) at the Kunsthaus Wien in Vienna on March 8, 2011. Robert Jaeger—EPASculptures by H.R. Giger during the opening of the Ars Electronica 2013 exhibition 'HR Giger.Rubera—EPASculpture by H.R. Giger during the opening of the Ars Electronica 2013 exhibition 'HR Giger.Rubera—EPASculptures by H.R. Giger during the opening of the Ars Electronica 2013 exhibition 'HR Giger.Rubera—EPAH.R Giger designed the microphone stand, made for Jonathan Davis of KORN. Marc Broussely—Broussely/Redferns/Getty ImagesHR Giger's 'Li I' at the exhibition 'Traeume und Visionen' (Dreams and Visions) at the Kunsthaus Wien in Vienna on March 8, 2011.Robert Jaeger—EPAGiger may be best known for his design of the "Alien" movie monster.Louie Psihoyos—Corbis
