The term ‘dark art’ could have been devised to describe the Swiss artist HR Giger’s work, it is so distinctively chilling and iconic that it inspired the look and feel of a whole genre of movies, and probably how we may perceive visitors from another world.

This weekend I traveled to see my brother in Switzerland, and because he is partial to a bit of science fiction, we went to the HR Giger museum in Gruyeres. Nestling in a valley at the foot of several mountains, this medieval town, famous for it’s cheese, is a picture postcard of a place. It seems the last place on earth to see anything from another world, but nestling in a little tucked away corner is this collection of artwork that inspired the ‘Alien’ film. It is here because Giger himself owns the chateau at the top of the hill.

Most of the work in the museum follows a familiar thread. Uplifting it is not, but it did prove to be inspirational. Ridley Scott who was due to direct ‘Alien’ was given a book of HR Giger’s work. Scott immediately saw the potential for Giger’s designs, and commissioned him to create the whole look and feel of the films. Up until then, aliens were little green men with big eyes and big heads, Giger and Scott changed that forever.

In the museum there was the original alien suit as used in the film. It was worn by a Nigerian student, who at 7ft 2 inches and a very slender frame gave the creature a profile that definitely wasn’t human. There was just the Alien and me in a room. Even though it was behind a glass case (and not real) I did have a horrible feeling it was going to move and look at me.

The rest of the work in the museum is of a similar menacing ilk, very organic in feel, even when the work depicts machinery. Creatures who are half recognisable as human, twisted in snake like metal structures that cause pain and delight at the same time. A lot of the work was erotic in nature, so apart from the overbearing nature of the subject matter, this is not a place for the kids. They even had a room which was curtained off showing more risque pieces, but to me, the only difference was the light was red in the room. Quite of lot of the standard work had recognisable body parts and erotic acts. In several pictures, angelic figures seem to be depicted in a situation from hell. Disturbing.

His work in a strange way reminds me of Gaudi, especially the sculptures. Gaudi has a knack of making architectural structures look organic, and Giger pushes this one step further. This was evident in the ‘Giger Bar’ at the end of the museum. The whole interior structure was skeletal and gothic, looking like it had been born rather than made, but then inlaid with squared edged panels that had a mechnical feel of circuitry – like they were from a spaceship. This being Switzerland, the beer cost about £8 a bottle, so we didn’t stay.

You can sum up Giger’s work by juxtapositions. Brutal yet beautiful, organic yet mechanical, heaven yet hell.

I have to say I left the museum and walked out in to the mountain sunshine feeling like I had witnessed something horrible and sinister. If great art is to generate an emotion then Giger’s work is great. Would I hang it on my wall? Not a chance in hell. And if we ever do make contact, then I hope it’s more little green men than Giger’s aliens.

In case you hadn’t heard about World Book Night, it is a celebration of reading and books on which thousands of passionate book readers, give books away to friends, family and workmates to share their love of reading. The 23rd April has been officially appointed as the international day of the book by UNESCO, which is when World Book Night sharing begins.

The aim of this celebration is to encourage those who don’t regularly read to fall in love with reading, which I think is a super idea!

Our Emma Bewley was one of 20,000 people across the UK, Ireland and Germany, who has been lucky enough to get 24 copies of one of her favourite books (The Time Traveller’s Wife) which she has given out to her nearest and dearest.

I for one love the feeling I get when I am reading a book which I just can’t put down and am quite excited to part of this annual celebration…who knows where my book will end up!

So the moral of this blog is…if someone hands you a World Book Night book this year, be sure to read it, enjoy it and most importantly…pass it on!

A big thank you to our Emma Bewley for sharing the World Book Night love.

To find out more about World Book Night, click here.

When you think of England, you think St George. Well, he was actually Roman, but then again, tea comes from China, Fish and Chips comes from Portugal and the Royal family come from a combination of Denmark, Greece and Germany.

So there are only 100 days to the London Olympics? Bit too late for me to get in training for any event, but I shall be keeping a keen eye on the Women’s Beach Volleyball.

Philip’s time at C21, and by extension the UK has come to an end.

He journeys back to Germany with a head full of knowledge and a belly full of high fat English food. Philip really did embrace British culture, tried everything put in front of him and only turned his nose up at marmite.

Thanks Philip for being a great personality around the office, and for excepting your parting gifts with good grace (especially the United shirt).

From all at C21, wishing the lovely Kelly Walker an amazing wedding day on Friday, followed by a lifetime of love and laughter with her hubby to be.

Enjoy every minute of your day Kelly, we’ll see you at the alter!

If you, like me, like chocolate, then Easter is like Christmas.

And if you, like me, have children, then you know each child will receive approximately their own body weight in egg-shaped chocolate treats. This is far too much for a child to get through on their own, so adults step up to the plate (literally) and help out with the task. This can take months.

We finished the last remaining egg from Easter 2011 just the other day, so we now have an empty cupboard in the kitchen ready for the Easter 2012 haul.

Chocolate eggs, the gift that keeps on giving.

I have noticed a lot of egg decorating tutorials turning up recently so duly inspired, and with an old 90s silk tie in hand, I set off on an egg-citing journey.

The instructions are simple:
1. Chop up your 100% silk tie into strips.
2. Wet the silk, and pattern-side towards the egg, tightly wrap the egg and secure with cotton, string, floss, whatever you have to hand.
3. Using the cotton padding parts of the tie, create a second layer around the egg and secure with string as before.
4. Boil for 15 minutes.

That’s it! Cool the eggs in iced water and unwrap. My results can be observed in the image above.

Conclusions: Great result without shelling out! However, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. All the internet tutorials are American-centric and their eggs are white. Who knew? Our British beige eggs produce more unpredictable results. My blues were dull and my yellows camouflaged. But maybe this is more sour grapes than decorated eggs. The pictures on the internet are brightly coloured. My eggs look like they have prison tattoos. Still, I enjoyed the eggs-periment and had a seasonally appropriate lunch. Have a nice Easter everybody.

Another trawl of stuff that no one would be proud to put their name to. This time: general stuff. Bad ergonomics, planes, packaging and some toilets. The gun is for illustration purposes only.

If you have to put on a massive big ring, at least put it in the centre.

I think mother nature had already solved this problem.

I ain’t getting on no plane fool. Especially one that looks like this.

Would you put the up button down and vice versa? Does the lower button mean you want to call a lift from the floors below, or you want to go in that direction?

Maybe it’s just me who got a bit confused by this, I’ll take the stairs.

Obviously the balcony erecting guy and the french door guy don’t communicate very well.

This is what happens when you confuse inches with feet. Reminds me of Spinal Tap.

When? When do you think you are going to need these at the same time? And how?

Don’t get caught short, or with short arms.

And sadly this is one of those where you don’t spot the error until it’s too late or the Architect didn’t get paid. Just don’t take your Granny for a walk at the wrong time of day.

 Han, our sensational photographer snapped a colossal amount of photos whilst I attempted to do several poses, smiling within the costume even though you couldn’t see my face.

It is a fabulous new addition to the Mascot team for the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charity and we know the kids will love it. Keep an eye out to spot Dennis very soon.