Viggo arrives in New Zealand

Viggo Mortensen arrived in Wellington today to prepare for his photography exhibition and poetry reading before The Return of the King world premiere next week.

Mortensen, who plays Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, is the first Lord of the Rings star to arrive in Wellington for the premiere on December 1.

The pictures he captured of Wellington during four years of living and working in the windy capital will be on show at the Hirscheld Gallery and his recent abstract photography will be exhibited at Massey University's Museum Building.

His exhibition is called Mo Te Upoko-O-Te-Ika / For Wellington Photographs by Viggo Mortensen.

Wellington is director Peter Jackson's filming heartland and home to special effect's unit Weta Workshop.

Mortensen is a recognised photographer, painter and poet and his work has been in galleries in the US, Cuba and Denmark.

His photography exhibitions open on Saturday November 29, the same day as a poetry reading fundraiser for the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University.

Mortensen will read a selection of his poetry alongside New Zealand writers Tusiata Avia, Hinemoana Baker, and Cliff Fell.

Tickets have sold out and the poetry reading had to relocate from the City Gallery to the larger Paramount Theatre.

The City Gallery Wellington said the phone lines had been inundated with calls from people as far away as Germany wanting to purchase tickets for the poetry reading.

The poetry reading will be introduced by Bill Manhire.

Mr Manhire said that Viggo Mortensen is an important contemporary poet, and the original plan was simply to have him read to students at Victoria University.

"The idea for a benefit reading grew out of our initial discussions. It was Viggo who suggested that local poets read with him – and so we have found him three of the best!"

Proceeds from the $50 tickets will be donated to a scholarship fund for Victoria University creative writing students.

Mortensen's photography exhibitions run from 29 November 2003 – 25 January 2004.

Massey University will be open from 9am-1.30pm on November 29, then from 10am-4pm daily until January 25. It will be closed over December 24 – January 3. Entry by donation.

The Michael Hirschfeld Gallery at City Gallery Wellington is open daily from 10am – 5pm (except Christmas Day). Entry to the exhibition is free.

Herald Feature: Lord of the Rings