Coincidence of Memory [Hardcover]

Viggo Mortensen (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 9, 2002

In this beautifully illustrated book, the artist combines photographs, paintings, and poems that span his artistic output from 1978 to 2002. Over 50 full-color reproductions are featured.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 66 pages
• Publisher: Perceval Press (August 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972143602
• ISBN-13: 978-0972143608
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #587,445 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No mere "Coincidence", April 5, 2004

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Coincidence of Memory (Hardcover)

Actor. Musician. Photographer. And, last and perhaps most intriguingly, poet. Viggo Mortensen wears plenty of different hats as an artist. "Coincidence of Memory" collects assorted poetry, paintings and photographs ranging from the late 1970s to 2002. Whenever they are from and whatever they are, his creations are vivid and very striking.

In both his visual and literary art, Mortensen shows a sort of evocative simplicity. His poetry can bring to mind very powerful emotions that are left up to us to imagine ("Tried to say something/that filled my mouth/and longed to rest/in your ear/Don't dare write/it down for fear it'll/become words, just/words..."). He can also bring to mind simpler, more everyday things like arguments, frozen roads and observing the changes in nature.

His photography has the delicacy of a painting, with skilful use of light and color -- and the paintings are even better. For example, one is a simple shot of a mossy tree trunk surrounded by dry grass; another is of a leafless tree reflected in a car hood, and yet another is a darkly-lit picture of some little plants on the ground. Most striking is a photograph of electrical cables "intruding" on a grassy spot.

There's an intimate, capture-the-moment feel to Mortensen's photographs, as if you can see these things through his eyes for a moment. The paintings are just as good, such as "Self-Portrait, April". It's a picture of Mortensen's lips and chin, with all other featured obscured by a collage-like swirl of hazy artwork. The paintings are definitely absorbing, even if you don't understand the story behind them.

Viggo Mortensen's evocative, thoughtful artwork is shown in three different forms -- poetry, photographs and paintings -- in the beautiful "Coincidence of Memory." A haunting, remarkable collection of Mortensen's work.

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars real poetry, not ramblings from an old diary, August 5, 2004

By 

Valhall Horse Ranch "Nina" (few acres in BFE, Ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coincidence of Memory (Hardcover)

Several poems in this book shook my soul. Viggo is not using his fame to publish a bunch of crap that he's had in his old journal's since college. This is the real deal. The images brought forth by his words are spellbinding and unforgetable.
There is honesty and bravery in his words.
The visuals are an added bonus and enhance the experience of this book.
I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates poetry and art. I recommend savoring every stanza.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Artist, January 10, 2005

By 

Wendy M. Weathers "Viento" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coincidence of Memory (Hardcover)

This book spans 25 years of Viggo's art. It includes paintings, photographs, and poems. I wanted to get inside Viggo and see things from his perspective, which he does allow.

I was a little surprised by his poetry. It is not composed of rhyme or alliteration. It is often off-the-wall topics. My favorite is Keepsake about a letter opener. The poems are philosophical and definitely not ordinary. Other favorites are Communion-about a relationship and Edit-how one's work is reduced to a movie with the theater its grave.

He likes to catch subjects in motion in photographs. Often they are blurred or have light coming in them as if someone opened up the door to the darkroom. They are skillful and interesting.

His paintings (which are abstract) are surprisingly good. The blending of colors is beautiful.

Viggo is definitely not just an actor; he is an artist in every sense.