Viggo Mortensen on Writing Poetry: A Poem is Ruthless, There is Very Little Room for Errors
Viggo Mortensen discusses his passion for poetry writing and the upcoming release of his poetry collection in Slovak.
Viggo Mortensen, widely recognized for his role as Aragorn in the film adaptation of Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings', is not just a talented actor but also a multifaceted artist with interests in directing, photography, painting, music, and writing. Mortensen has been involved in poetry for many years, crafting works in multiple languages. His poetry collection titled 'Everything That Cannot Be Written' is set to be published by FACE, featuring selected poems in English and Spanish, translated into Slovak by Eva Lalkovičová and Ján Gavura. This collection spans his poetic works from 1979 to 2019 and includes his own photographs.
The announcement of the publication of his poetry in Slovak has sparked reactions, highlighting the surprise that the actor known for warrior roles is also a poet. Mortensen addresses this surprise by acknowledging that while he is commonly associated with his film characters that wield swords and ride horses, he possesses a broader artistic identity that often remains overlooked. He emphasizes the discipline and rigor of poetry, mentioning that poems leave little room for error, which reflects the high standards he holds for his creative outputs.
Overall, Mortensen's foray into poetry not only showcases his artistic versatility but also invites readers to appreciate the depth of his creative talents beyond the silver screen. The conversation about his poetry serves as a reminder that artists can have diverse and rich lives that extend far beyond public perceptions shaped by their most famous roles.