VIENNA, AUSTRIA.- KunstHaus Wien presents Giger in Vienna, on view through October 1, 2006. This is the first solo show with more than 100 works of famous Swiss surrealist HR Giger. HR Giger is recognized as one of the world’s foremost artists of Fantastic Realism. Born in 1940 to a chemist´s family in Chur, Switzerland, he moved in 1962 to Zurich, where he studied architecture and industrial design at the School of Applied Arts. By 1964 he was producing his first artworks, mostly ink drawings and oil paintings, resulting in his first solo exhibition in 1966, followed by the publication and world-wide distribution of his first poster edition in 1969. Shortly after, he discovered the airbrush and, along with it, his own unique freehand painting style, leading to the creation of many of his most well known works, the surrealistic Biomechanical dreamscapes, which formed the cornerstone of his fame. To date, 20 books have been published about Giger´s art.

Giger´s third and most famous book “Necronomicon”, published in 1977, served as the visual inspiration for director Ridley Scott´s film “Alien”, Giger´s first film assignment, which earned him the 1980 Oscar for the Best Achievement in Visual Effects for his designs. Giger´s other film works include “Poltergeist II”, “Alien 3” and “Species”.

Giger´s album covers for Debbie Harry and the band ELP were voted among the 100 best in music history in a survey of rock journalists and, in 1988, created his first total environment, the Tokyo Giger Bar, and in 1992 a second Giger Bar in Chur. With countless exhibitions since 1966 HR Giger and his art have achieved world renown. The exhibition at KunstHausWien consists of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photos and photomontages as well as the famous Harkonnen furniture sculptures.

HR Giger lives and works in Zurich, Switzerland. A catalogue on the exhibition will be available at the KunstHausWien MuseumShop.