Friday, May 29, 2009

VIGGO MORTENSEN ~ Arty Farty Friday's Celebrity Artist

Viggo Mortensen. I knew the face, but for some reason hadn't linked it with the name. I had a vague idea at the back of my mind that the name belonged to a soccer player, back in the UK.

Viggo Mortensen has appeared in dozens of movies, some of the best known: Lord of the Rings, Hidalgo, Appaloosa, Carlito's Way - full list here

Research easily unearthed a slew of fansites for this movie actor, whose creativity spills over into painting, photography, poetry and music. Asked, as part of a TIME magazine article, which of these artistic pursuits was his favorite, he replied

"I don't really separate them. To be an artist, you don't have to compose music or paint or be in the movies or write books. It's just a way of living. It has to do with paying attention, remembering, filtering what you see and answering back, participating in life."





I was pleased to discover that Viggo supported Dennis Kucinich in the US primaries of 2008. Would that more liberals had lent Kucinich their support! I'll never, ever understand why they didn't. But that's another story.

Viggo Mortensen's natal chart could offer some clues as to the source of his prodigious artistry. Born in Manhattan, New York on 20 October 1958 (Wikipedia says 1952, but that seems to be a lone voice, Astrodatabank states 1958, but no time of day.) This chart is set for 1958 and 12 noon.



Libra is ruled by Venus, planet of the arts, and here Venus is comfortably at home in Libra, along with Viggo's natal Sun. Personality-wise, he's likely to be both charmer and diplomat. Venus is also conjunct North node of the Moon - an ultra senstive point in a natal chart, which I believe further emphasises the influence of planets close to it. His artistic Venus is in very good shape!

Nextdoor, in passionate, insightful Scorpio is a stellium (trio of planets very close together) Neptune (planet of imagination, dreams); Mercury (planet of communication); and Jupiter, benign planet which rules, among other things, publication and excess.

This 2-sign bunching of planets, I think, is the main source of his multi-faceted artistry, in addition Saturn at 21 Sagittarius is in exact trine (harmonious) to Venus at 21 Libra. Saturn represents hard work and discipline, and here is allied to the arts.

His natal Moon will be somewhere between 3 and 15 Aquarius (we can't know the exact position without a time of birth). This, I suspect, is the source of his leftward political leanings, and more likely than not Moon will be opposing Uranus (ruler of Aquarius) in Leo, symbolic of a keyed up nervous system - a restless soul. Could this, perhaps be his driver?

I'm posting a few examples of his work, along with some links to the best sites I've found where Viggo's art, photography, poetry, and his career in general can be explored.

GULF STREAM. 2002.






BLUE




SELF PORTRAIT April 99-02.



LEGOLAS



NO SIGN


LINKS:
This one is excellent! ~http://www.brego.net/viggo/viggo-art.php
http://markpowerblog.com/2008/09/03/part-one-viggo-mortensen/
http://www.mylifetime.com/lifestyle/entertainment/viggo-mortensen-mysterious-movie-hunk
http://specialrealms.com/VM/painting5.html

10 comments:

Shawn Carson said...

Very cool article. This is another person whose horoscope I am jealous of. That big lineup in Libra / Scorpio has glamour and sex appeal written all over it. Very few hard angles in this chart, outside of the Mars / Pluto square. I think that this square acts as the straw that stirs the drink...how he challenges himself.

Diane L said...

Love Viggo! Drop dead gorgeous, thoughtful, extremely talented - a true renaissance man. :-)

Very nice post!

moonkiss said...

Hi Ecliptic,

I just found out about your site through the web various awards surfacing...and wanted to let you know that I've put your blog on my blogroll! Great to know you!

My own site is www.moonkissd.com.

anthonynorth said...

I've never really noticed this guy before. Your posts always teach me something.

Twilight said...

Shawn ~~~ It's a very nice one isn't it!
Yes the Mars/Pluto challenge (Virgo & Gemini both ruled by Mercury) might relate to his restless urge to communicate (his creativity). :-)

Twilight said...

Neith ~~~ Hi! and thank you kindly.

Twilight said...

Moonkiss - thank you - I'll return the favor - don't think I've seen your blog either. :-)

Twilight said...

AN ~~~ Same here - I'm learning all the time. ;-)

Elaine said...

I found this blog when I searched for IMAGES of Viggo Mortensen's paintings. I remember them from some movie he was in years ago with Gwenyth Paltrow. At the time, I didn't know they were his, and thought to myself, "some poor art director/set dresser is letting those great paintings rent for next to nothing for exposure". Ha.
Mr. Mortensen's work isn't so viewable on the internet anymore. Leads one to wonder why he is seemingly so precious about his work. None are for sale, and only viewable when he has a show.
Don't get me wrong, I think he's talented although I think his talent has been a teensy bit overrated by those besotted with him for his movie star looks and celebrity status. Same for his poetry. It's okay.
Not great.
I just appreciate that he has interests and concerns bigger than the movies he makes. (Loved Lord of the Rings. So much fun. Peter Jackson, one brave, determined man. Bravissimo.)
People will be angry that I don't profess to worship him and his work, but I guess I can live with that.

Twilight said...

Elaine ~~ Hi there, nice to "meet" you!

I understand how you feel. I don't have strong feelings one way or the other about his acting or his painting. Both are, as you said "okay".

We watched "Apaloosa" last night on HBO. It, too, was just okay. I think co-star Ed Harris could act Viggo off the stage though, but in this movie both were less than stellar, IMO. :-)