The biomechanical art of H.R. Giger in the posthumanist narrative of the videogame Scorn

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33732/ASRI.6881

Keywords:

Biomechanical art, H. R. Giger, game studies, Scorn, posthuman aesthetics

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reflect on the artistic and philosophical approaches belonging to the narrative, interactive, and playable world of the video game Scorn, which have been drawn from the work of H.R. Giger, creator of the xenomorph design for Alien: The Alien and proponent of biomechanical art. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining posthumanist theory, visual studies, and video game design analysis, the influence of Giger on the artistic direction of this digital work is explored, focusing on its symbolic elements (organic-mechanical architectures, hybrid creatures, and bodily imagery) and its biopunk, decaying atmosphere. The study examines how Gigerian aesthetics — which fuse organism and machine — are reinterpreted in Scorn to articulate a critical discourse on the posthuman condition. It is also concluded that Giger’s work has been transferred to Scorn through a posthumanist narrative characterized by existential absurdism and scientific determinism, packaged in the Swiss artist’s biomechanical and sexualized art.

Author Biography

Alfonso Freire-Sánchez, Universidad Abat Oliba, CEU Universities

Alfonso Freire-Sánchez holds a PhD in Communication Sciences from Universitat Abat Oliba CEU. He received the Best Scientific Article Award at the 2nd FlixOlé–URJC Awards for Research in Spanish Cinema and the Ángel Herrera Award for Outstanding Teaching (2013-2014). He is accredited by ANECA as Profesor Titular and by AQU as Profesor Agregat and Reader, and he has one six-year research period (sexenio) recognized by both agencies. From 2018 to 2022 he was a member of the research team for the R&D&I project Making Pain Visible: Visual Narratives of Illness and Transmedia Storytelling (VISIBILIZÁNDOLO). He is currently Director of the Advertising and Public Relations degree at Universitat Abat Oliba CEU. His research focuses on mental-health narratives in the creative industries, audiovisual imaginaries and narratology.

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alfonso freire

Published

2025-12-31

How to Cite

Freire-Sánchez, A. (2025). The biomechanical art of H.R. Giger in the posthumanist narrative of the videogame Scorn. ASRI. Art and Society. Journal for Research in Arts and Digital Humanities, (29), e6881. https://doi.org/10.33732/ASRI.6881