Swiss artist H. R. Giger died yesterday at the age of 74. Characterized by his nightmarish, surreal, monochromatic, intricate biomechanical dreamscapes, he is most well-known for his creature and set designs for Alien. I’ve always liked the intense yet cold quality of his paintings, and the mystery behind them; they remind me of the sacred, esoteric rites of some ancient alien civilization, both profane and hallowed, sterile and salacious. We’ll miss you.