Li Tobler’s face in Li I and Li II encapsulates the essence of the aesthetics and philosophy of Giger’s works. In both of them, the heads have been chopped off and the faces are surrounded by features that clearly call to mind classic portrayals of Medusa, including Caravaggio’s famous, disconcerting Medusa. However, in contrast with the screaming face of the mythological Greek monster, Li looks relaxed. Something is clouding and partially concealing her eyes and her peaceful yet piercing gaze calls to mind a corpse a few hours after death. Li is undead and detached from her body – if she ever had one. Her face is teeming with tubes and strange mechanisms, with mysterious insect-like creatures all around it. There are two key components: skulls and a snake, which is crawling across Li’s broad forehead in both paintings. Giger was very fond of ancient Egyptian culture, in which snakes were a symbol of rebirth and healing, but above all of transformation and immortality. In this respect, it is as if the reptile were heralding the sad fate that awaited Li. Li I and Li II are still two of the most famous paintings in the whole of H.R. Giger’s oeuvre. In Giger’s subsequent depictions of female aliens, it would always be possible to pick out traits that were reminiscent of his late partner.
