Coincidence of Memory

by Viggo Mortensen

In this beautifully illustrated book, the artist combines photographs, paintings, and poems that span his artistic output from 1978 to 2002.

Genres: Poetry, Photography, Art, Nonfiction

66 pages, Hardcover

First published August 9, 2002

About the author

Viggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Golden Globe- and Academy Award-nominated Danish American theater and movie actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter.

He is perhaps best known for his roles as Aragorn in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, Frank T. Hopkins in Hidalgo, David Shaw in A Perfect Murder, Tom Stall in David Cronenberg's A History of Violence and as Nikolai Luzhin in Cronenberg's Eastern Promises.

Reviews

[Steven Godin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a good few films—spanning many many years—for me to believe that Viggo Motensen is indeed a really good actor. How many books did it take for me to realise he is also a very talented photographer, artist and poet?—one. This one—my first by him. A stunning book.

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good. Interesting but good. The photographs were also good. The poetry as well. That cover though.

[Shana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had no idea this was the same Viggo M., the actor, most widely known for his role in Hidalgo and The "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Although I didn't find his photography all that intriguing, I did find his poetry to be thought-provoking...and at times, almost difficult to read due to what I felt was an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. The written descriptions throughout appeared to be memoirs of his short-lived marriage.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love artists

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of poems and photographs made me stop and reflect. How can that be a bad thing?

[Narmeen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oceans take our secrets
What we don’t want to see or smell anymore.
We feel anonymous
We feel clean
When we throw our past away.
It will wash, we think.
It will sink
It will drift far from this shore.
It will disappear.
Maybe the fish will eat our words
Maybe lost or spurned lovers
Will help deep-sea feathery green plants grow.

A beautiful yet desparing collection of poems. Who knew Viggo Mortensen was as good as Aragorn with words. I am not really the type of person who gazes at a painting or art to decipher the underlying message behind abstract imagery. Therefore, I wasn’t a big fan of the photographs. I did love the Elijah, elf hair and rohan pictures though.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The photographs, poems and collages assembled in this book are strikingly beautiful.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite of Viggo's books. Beautiful writing, and haunting photographs.

[emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far one of the very best art poetry combinations I have had the pleasure of reading in my life time. One of the books I will re-read and re-read.

[Sofía]

Some of my favourite extracts of poems:

"I wanted to hang up or politely say goodbye and then change my number and never answer the phone again until I knew you were dead, but you kept saying things I wanted to hear, like that a window might as well be a wall but thank god for fish anks and bottles."

"This after seeing you
last night, first time
smelling you with your permission: shoulders to
wonder openly at
as carefully kissed
as those arms
waited impossibly on."

"Once I found a wedding ring
uncovered by the receding tide,
I didn't touch it.
I was already married."

[Emmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all the different kinds of art in here - poetry and photographs and paintings, it feels like a tiny piece of Viggo's soul.
My favorite poems were Communion (1999-2002) and First Light (1999-2002) ♡

[Meaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Communion" alone makes this collection five stars. What a haunting poem. In this collection, Mortensen brings the reader into his genius through stellar painting, poetry, and prose. As an actor, director, polyglot, writer, and artist, Mortensen has seemingly mastered all.

[Christina Welsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely beautiful and moving book.

[Debs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably my favorite of Viggo's books. The photographs are particularly haunting.