Viggo

The Nature of Landscape and Independent Perception

By : Suzanne Philips Cunningham

Viggo Mortensen/Georg Gudni
The Nature of Landscape and Independent Perception
Book signing and Exhibit Opening Night Reception
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Track 16 Gallery
Santa Monica, CA

Yesterday in Santa Monica, Track 16 Gallery opened the new exhibit "The Nature of Landscape and Independent Perception" for a 5 week run. The exhibit features paintings by Icelandic artist Georg Gudni and photographs by Viggo Mortensen. To celebrate this opening, the gallery held a book signing with the two artists and an opening night reception.

The book signing was scheduled from 1-4PM and despite a very wet morning there were approximately 100 people in line by noon. The staff of the gallery was really outstanding. They came out around 11:30 am and brought out beverages and snacks for the people waiting in line. A few minutes before 1PM, Viggo Mortensen pulled up in his classic truck, bringing with him drinks and candy that he had brought with him for those waiting. The gallery staff and the staff of Mortensen's publishing house Perceval Press did an excellent job of keeping people in line informed and keeping the line moving. They showed a great deal of respect and consideration for the fans and the whole event had a very relaxed, comfortable vibe.

Books by both Mortensen and Gudni were available for purchase at the signing as well as a limited edition multiple which features 6 photographs by Mortensen on one side and 6 of Gudni's paintings on the other. This is printed on a high quality card stock and comes with a one page card explaining the history of the works and a limited edition numbered card (only 500 of these multiples were produced) signed by both artists. All of this nicely packaged in a heavy cardboard case with the gallery showing dates on the front. These might have sold out as they were very reasonably priced at $25 and autographed in a limited quantity, but if anyone is interested you might contact the gallery to see if they have extras available.

Viggo and Georg were seated at a table in the big room in the gallery and were so generous with their time and signed items and spoke with each attendee individually. Anyone was allowed to take photos if they wished and everyone treated each other and the artists with much respect. The signing was originally set to run from 1-4pm, but the signing actually went on until almost 7pm!

Later that evening, the opening reception for the exhibit was held. This gave attendees the opportunity to spend as much time as they wished viewing the artwork, gave them the chance to purchase artwork and art books, and share their thought with others in the art world. Gudni's paintings are very moody and ethereal. He uses mostly darker colors mixed with some light for contrast. They give one the feeling of both isolation and peace and evoke a feeling for what the scenery in his native Iceland might be like. A really lovely man who seems to be quite passionate about his work. If you wish to purchase a book of his lovely work, you can check out Perceval Press.

Mortensen's photography was quite different from his previous work in many ways. The use of colors was amazing. Really striking, vibrant colors blended together gave some of the photos a sense of chaos and movement, while the same colors led other photos to show a real sense of calm and serenity. Many huge 7 foot tall photos decorated the gallery as well as smaller ones and it felt like a really consistent showing. Viggo's new book "Linger" is also available for purchase at Perceval Press.

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