Mo Te Upoko-o-te-ika/For Wellington

Rating:
Summary: Welcome to Wellington
Review: Ever been to New Zealand? Artist of many shades Viggo Mortensen did for the epic movie trilogy "The Lord of the Rings," and like many other visitors was struck by the beauty and warmth of this little island country. And as an accompaniment to exhibitions in Massey University and the Wellington City Gallery, he presents "Mo Te Upoko-O-Te-Ika/For Wellington."

Mortensen often presents hauntingly everyday photos, but in "Mo Te Upoko-O-Te-Ika/For Wellington," he shifted toward the abstract. "Erfoud 17" presents a spray of flowers in a shimmery orb, while "Plimmerton" gives us silvery streaks across the darkness. The "Lost" photographs were taken as Mortensen tried to use the flash as a light source. (Waste not, want not)

These pictures are bold sweeps of vivid color, almost looking neon at times -- golden whirlpools against a dark backdrop, two glowing expanses of greenish-gold and electric blue clashing. It's like looking at the aurora borealis through night vision goggles. Color and light are the strongest elements in these pictures, and the effect is subtle and primal.

Poetry, paint, film and photograph are the big sweeping canvas that Mortensen has painted his art on, and he's in excellent form in "Me To Upoko-O-Te-Ika/For Wellington." Fluid, shimmering and thoroughly enticing.

Rating:
Summary: Welcome to Wellington
Review: Ever been to New Zealand? Artist of many shades Viggo Mortensen did for the epic movie trilogy "The Lord of the Rings," and like many other visitors was struck by the beauty and warmth of this little island country. And as an accompaniment to exhibitions in Massey University and the Wellington City Gallery, he presents "Mo Te Upoko-O-Te-Ika/For Wellington."

Mortensen often presents hauntingly everyday photos, but in "Mo Te Upoko-O-Te-Ika/For Wellington," he shifted toward the abstract. "Erfoud 17" presents a spray of flowers in a shimmery orb, while "Plimmerton" gives us silvery streaks across the darkness. The "Lost" photographs were taken as Mortensen tried to use the flash as a light source. (Waste not, want not)

These pictures are bold sweeps of vivid color, almost looking neon at times -- golden whirlpools against a dark backdrop, two glowing expanses of greenish-gold and electric blue clashing. It's like looking at the aurora borealis through night vision goggles. Color and light are the strongest elements in these pictures, and the effect is subtle and primal.

Poetry, paint, film and photograph are the big sweeping canvas that Mortensen has painted his art on, and he's in excellent form in "Me To Upoko-O-Te-Ika/For Wellington." Fluid, shimmering and thoroughly enticing.