Customer Reviews

Recent Forgeries (Book & CD-ROM)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

He's a poet, he's a painter, he's a photographer. Don't think Viggo Mortensen is just an actor, as talented as he is in that. "Recent Forgeries" is a collage of his works of all kinds, with poetry woven together with pictures and paintings... not to mention the CD. Pieced together but never patchy, this is a must-have.

Mortensen offers a display of poetry, often melancholy and thoughtful ("I taste the blood/that shimmered/on your lips/Lingering, like guilt does"). There's also a selection of what seem like short stories woven in, like the slice-of-life "Relay" or the charming "Bedtime Story For Henry." And of course, paintings and photographs: the vivid "Sun Losing Its Yellow," soothingly surreal "Mute," and the quiet still photographs like "School." (A mildly decayed stone gate)

Accompanying the "Recent Forgeries" book is a CD, in which Mortensen reads his poetry out loud, including "Bedtime Story For Henry," "Clear," and a handful that are not included in the book itself. Mortensen's smooth voice is accompanied by Buckethead, DJ Bonebrake and others.

Most people who act don't have a lot of artistic dimension beyond that. Chalk one up for the eclectic bohemian: Mortensen has mastered self-expression in different ways, and shows it well in "Recent Forgeries." There's a little of everything -- everything, that is, that can be pressed between book covers. Along the way, the photos, paint and words seem to run together into a sweeping, colorful landscape.

Mortensen's assorted artwork can evoke anything -- his poetry ranges from funny (like the quirky "Home") to poignant to ironic, and his artwork can be soft or angular, usually filled with great waves of color. At first some of them look random, but closer inspection shows just how careful and deliberate they are. His photographs are about the only thing that stay the same -- Mortensen focuses on little things that most people would miss, like signs, trees, empty stone gates with overgrown roads, and so on.

A rich, well-rounded look into the mind of a talented artist. Viggo Mortensen's "Recent Forgeries" is a treat for anyone who appreciates art in all its forms. A rare creation, well worth having.

Viggo. Wow. Not only is he a wonderful actor, who brings his character to life. He's a painter and a poet with such amazing insight and passion. This man has the ability to pull you into his world when he writes. Not only is this a book of some of Viggo's work, it also comes with a CD with Viggo reading some of his work and it just adds to the wonder of this man. I highly suggest this book to those who have an open mind and who wish to experience something fresh and new.

This is by far my favorite Viggo book and I was delighted when I found out that the publisher (smart art press) still had copies for sale on their web site. Recent Forgeries documents Viggo's first solo exhibition as a painter. It is an extraordinary look into the mind of an artist whose boundless creative output touches a myriad of media, from photography to painting to poetry to acting. A minute gesture, an accidental encounter, a change of light-Mortensen uses his art to capture the simple moments of his life, to give them meaning, to satisfy his curiosity, and to express his wonder at the "suchness" of people and things in the passing world. The writings, paintings, collages, and photographs (color as well as black and white) in this book point to the fluidity of meaning in a world of flux. Illustrated within this publication are some of the painting Viggo did for the movie A Perfect Murder. It may be hard to find, but it is well worth the search.

Many of today's "movie" folk have discovered something many of us already knew. Under the magic of movies, there is a man named Viggo Mortensen who happens to be an actor, along with a painter, a poet, and an individual who encourages others to think, read and be honest with themselves. This book is about modern art, words and truth. Not a pretty face, or a mindless photo hound. This book can provoke thought, appreciation and most of all, inspire you to become creative in whatever media suits you. Just when you think you've seen each frame clearly, you will find additional depth and subtle nuances that entrance. Recommended for those who appreciate art, poetry, and who want to think. A great companion piece to Coincidence of Memory, another of his works that is exceptional.

This collection of poems, photographs, and art work is truly mesmerizing. It completely captivates any and all who respect and strive to find a different view to the creative outlet. I love Viggo's voice, and the reciting of his work makes this piece even more extraordinary. The spoken word is so intense, and gave me goosebumps. Viggo paints a picture in all of his poetry, and sets up a connection between himself and the listener/reader. This is a wonderful collection of Viggo's work, and one that truly exibits an artists passion for understanding the complexity of our world, and bringing those situations to a beautiful and alternative view. Thank you Viggo....where's your 2nd book?...

Getting past the photography (simple yet complex) the poetry is what I truly love about this book. The CD that is included is nicely put together, and the meaning of the poetry comes to life when you hear his voice. My favorite poem in the book, and on the CD is "Cuttings" everytime I'm outside my own home (in the garden)I seem to resite it to myself.

If I had one sugguestion, it would be that the CD came with more of a protective case to prevent possible damage.

Viggo Mortensen, Recent Forgeries (1998, Smart Art Press)

Did you know Viggo Mortensen, alternately by turns Lucifer, Aragorn, the American Yakuza, and Tex is also an accomplished painter, poet, short fiction writer, and musician? (Well, I'm taking the "musician" part on faith, because the CD had been removed from the copy of this I just finished by someone who is not me.) And I'm not talking "accomplished" like Jimmy Stewart, Jewel, and Ally Sheedy are accomplished. Nope, Mortensen can be a little loose with his verbiage sometimes, but the man's got it. (And, really, all those reviews from people who had never heard of the man until Lord of the Rings? Where you folks been for twenty years? You never saw The Prophecy? Albino Alligator? Witness? The Indian Runner? The awful remake of Psycho? Get thee to a video store.) And while I'm far less schooled in the arts of photography and painting than I am poetry, it's obvious that Mortensen's photographs have a definite thematic unity to them, when they show up in series, and that the man has an eye for what makes a good picture. The paintings, which have a more restrained Basquiat-esque feel (one wonders if Mortensen's dating Julian Schnabel's daughter had any effect on that), seem as if they're a bit more confused, but still powerful. I liked the representations of both here, certainly enough to go looking for Mortensen's other published works in those two areas.

The poetry was what really floored me. The short fiction is good, but the poetry rips it up (aside, as I said, from some loose verbiage here and there). Mortensen is a man who truly understands the value of image in poetry. You'd think that obvious from someone who works in the film industry, but take a read of Jimmy Stewart's book sometime and get back to me on that. I guarantee you won't find anything as worthy of being called poetry as

...An errant vine has sprouted
two blue flowers
where it reaches
roots of the lemon tree.
They are beautiful;
I am suspicious.
("Cuttings")

A wonderful little book. Probably more wonderful had not some enterprising soul stolen the CD, but I can recommend it without hesitation. And come on, people, add a copy of Albino Alligator, one of the best films ever made, to your order. ****

...I will state again for the record that Mortensen's work concerning his poetry is very good. His ability to craft a small story from a few stark and glib lines of language is commendable. However, the photography is non-impressive and is heavily reminiscent of a high school photo class, but lacking the variety of standard student submission. On the other side of the critical arena however, the montage's and art work that he included are wonderful. Red Minerva is one that definitely will catch your eye.

I recently took this book with me on vacation to Altoona, Pennsylvania and had the opportunity to ingest it over a long, graduated period of abandon. Several people who knew not of Mortensen also relished it for the montage work and the prose. I will give fair warning though about the CD that was enclosed on the back cover. Much of his reading is engrossing. The man's voice is worthy of CNN commercials. His guitar playing/reading though is something entirely different. I have the feeling that pretension is no stranger to this man, but I love him all the same. The acoustic journey was a detraction to the ear, rendering some of the last few tracks almost unlistenable.

Should I mention the hand-edited typo toward the back of the book? Was this the mad scribbling of Mortensen himself? I gave the book 4 stars, but with the actor included, it makes 5.

I had seen some of the pictures provided online that Viggo had taken and some of those have been displayed in galleries I found some of them to be provoking and others made me wonder why would someone do that? Such is art.
The reviews that I have read about the books that Viggo has written made me decided to seek some of them out. I am looking forward to more. Thanks to all of you who left the wonderful reviews and to Viggo for sharing his talent and insights.This has encouraged me to not only view more of Viggos works but more art and poetry altogether.BR>I must be honest in the fact that until I saw the Tolkien movies I never knew Viggo Mortensen by name or the fact that he is a poet,artist,photographer ect..I hope that eventually I would have found my way to his work as sometimes seems to happen.Suddenly things seem to throw themselves into our paths and influence us. We either seek more out and/or rediscover something that we once loved and lost sight of or we turn a blind eye and mind. I have ordered and recently received Recent Forgeries.I have read and reread it a few times in the past 2 days since I have had it.I of coarse have a few pieces that I really like and could spend alot of time looking at. These are Red Minerva,Offerings,Cul,Pope's Apology,Saxon Morning, and What Have You Heard for the artwork. The writings, I absolutely adore Bedtime Story for Henry and Kids Are God;Pay Attention,so very very true.The CD was a wonderful addition to this book as well,it is one thing to read the writings and quite another to hear them read from the author himself.I would recommend this book,and possibly others as well.I have been intrigued and now I must seek more......

I found this book and CD to be very interesting. The photos and paintings are incredicle, the poetry was facinating, but the best part was the CD. Since Viggo isn't your normal rhyming, lyrical pose writer, hearing him actually read his poetry was great. It was like he was givng you your own personal reading. Wonderful! I highly reccommend this book.