Warning : The following post contains nudity/adult content.
When Taschen announced its massive monograph tome for the late HR Giger a few years back I was both elated and also sad at the same time, because the book was a limited print edition with a price point that would bankrupt me ($1250). Thankfully, Taschen often releases much more affordable, albeit significantly smaller sized editions of these books, and I have reviewed it previously here.
The small print sized edition is definitely a great option to have, but it is not the ideal way to fully enjoy HR Giger’s meticulously detailed, large format art work. This new 2024 edition bridges the gap and is the latest addition to the excellent XXL giant monograph series of art books released by Taschen ( Bruegel / Frazetta / Hieronymus Bosch / Velázquez ).
Although not quite as massive as the exorbitantly priced limited edition, this hefty volume still measures a very impressive 11.4 x 3 x 15.5 inches, a veritable tome of an art book boasting over 500 pages of HR Giger’s famously evocative and erotically charged “biomechanical” art pieces. The giant print size does marvels in showing off the grotesque detail of Giger’s art work and is a huge upgrade in terms of visual fidelity from the smaller, lower priced edition.
Unfortunately it is rather hard to convey and/or describe effectively in words the sheer visual impact of seeing Giger’s works up-close; I have tried to include several bigger preview images below, but they do not really do justice to the splendid experience of reading the book in person.
The scope and breadth of the art pieces covered is immense; on top of the artist’s expansive portfolio of personal work, there are also substantial pages showcasing his iconic concept art designs for Ridley Scott’s Alien as well as Poltergeist II.
Book synopsis – “At its essence, Giger’s art digs down into our psyches and touches our very deepest primal instincts and fears. His art stands in a category of its own. The proof of this lies in the intensity of his work and imagination, which I can only compare to Hieronymus Bosch and Francis Bacon in their powers to provoke and disturb.” – Ridley Scott
Swiss artist HR Giger (1940–2014) is most famous for his creation of the space monster in Ridley Scott’s 1979 horror sci-fi film Alien, which earned him an Oscar. In retrospect, this was just one of the most popular expressions of Giger’s biomechanical arsenal of creatures, which consistently merged hybrids of human and machine into images of haunting power and dark psychedelia. The visions drew on demons of the past, as well as evoking mythologies for the future. Above all, they gave expression to the collective fears and fantasies of his age: fear of the atom, of pollution and wasted resources, and of a future in which our bodies depend on machines for survival.
This book was begun shortly before the artist’s untimely death and shows the complete story of Giger’s life and art, his sculptures, film work, and iconic album covers as well as the heritage he left us in his own artist’s museum and self-designed bar in the Swiss Alps. In an in-depth essay, Giger scholar Andreas J. Hirsch plunges into the themes of Giger’s oeuvre and world while an extensive artist biography draws on contemporary quotes and Giger’s own writings.
(above & below) The book comes in a very thick and sturdy protective clam-shell cardboard box.
A note about the youtube flip-through video – because of youtube’s very strict regulations on nudity/adult content, I had to edit out pages that I deem will be flagged as objectionable. My apologies !
This XXL edition is a very significant upgrade from the lower priced, small print edition and is hands down the best way to enjoy HR Giger’s art work ( the $1250 limited edition notwithstanding ). Priced around $175, it surely isn’t cheap, but the quality and quantity of material covered justifies the high cost and is in my opinion a purchase of great value. It certainly put a dent in my wallet; but I do not regret getting it; not one bit. Highly recommended.
HR Giger XXL Art Book ( Taschen ) details :
– Dimensions – 11.42 x 3.03 x 15.55 inches
– hardcover, 506 pages
– Full color, in English
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You might also be interested in these items :
HR Giger. Taschen 40th Edition Art Book Review
Impressionism – Taschen Art Book Review
William Blake – Dante’s Divine Comedy Art Book Review ( Taschen )
Caravaggio – The Complete Works Art Book Review ( Taschen )
Renoir – Painter Of Happiness Art Book Review ( Taschen )
December 13th, 2024 at 3:37 am
His paintings are simultaneously fascinating and disturbing. Looking at them is like digging into a man’s psyche…
The same types of paintings could possibly be found simultaneously in the gallery of a talented and brilliant artist, and in the secret lair of a depraved serial killer…
December 13th, 2024 at 4:51 am
Cristiano – Haha, yes I kinda agree with you on that 2nd point. It’s good news that he chose to use his talents to be come an artist than the other thing ! :]
December 14th, 2024 at 3:10 pm
Oooof. I really want this volume for my library. I have the small version, but as you say, it is nice but not ideal. This XXL edition would really scratch the itch.
December 15th, 2024 at 9:17 am
When I was going to college I have a
Life Drawing teacher that would show us some artbooks that he would bring. He had a Giger artbook that is stored in the Classroom and he refused to bring it to his living quarters.He said the energy of the whole thing is too dark hahahhahah
December 16th, 2024 at 10:09 am
Chris – It’s a BEAUTY. Not cheap, but definitely worth the money !
Senna – I don’t blame your teacher ! Giger is a brilliant artist, but some of his work are definitely hardcore haha