Viggo Mortensen on facing death

In this clip from his feature chat in Studio Q, Viggo Mortensen explains that what's at the core of his motivations to create is the constant awareness of his death and his attempts to stave that off.
Q is your daily dose of arts, culture and entertainment. Join host, Jian Ghomeshi, as he engages today's top artists, critics and phenoms in conversation.
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[@letthegalaxyburn]

The man.

[@WSUGLUE]

In LoTR The Return of the King, Aragorn says, “I do not fear death.” I like to think Viggo doesn’t really fear it (as he says), but he is irritated of it perhaps because he doesn’t understand it. I hope he finds a good understanding of death.

[@Dapryor]

Fear of death is baker into our biology. I’m not sure most people can even conceptualize it, much less master the fear of it.

[@paulamcmath]

Thank you.

[@AyaxTelemonio]

I think he is citing Schopenhauer not Nietzsche, his aesthetics were about avoiding suffering.

[@remotefaith]

“It is disgraceful for a philosopher to say: the good and the beautiful are one; if he adds 'also the true', one ought to beat him. Truth is ugly. We possess art lest we perish of the truth.” Friedrich Nietzsche, The Will to Power

[@dilloncoop2500]

Why does this guy keep trying to interrupt Viggo when hes not done talking when he's the one asking the questions...

[@jorisvanveen4021]

Cuz. Them' girls ain't gonna rape themselves. 👌🏻

[@dilloncoop2500]

@@jorisvanveen4021 I dont understand the context. What happened?

[@jorisvanveen4021]

@@dilloncoop2500 Gomeshi got charged with multiple sexual assault charges and left the show a disgrace I mean; fine host, human being could do better doe

[@jh1859]

So, how's it going?

[@Blickafram]

The happening is far above my head..

[@Blickafram]

Much better .Needed patience!

[@Blickafram]

(Hjärta)(hjärta)(hjärta)

[@DanIel-fl1vc]

We were all dead a thousand years ago, we didn't mind it then. I think what most of us really fear is dying painfully and to NEVER again interact with loved ones. Emphasis on NEVER, let that sink in.

[@NG-cb6zx]

You mean didn't exist a. thousand years ago and it didn't make any difference. Now that we are here, yes fear of pain and also the unknown of what's the other side.

[@DanIel-fl1vc]

@@NG-cb6zx No I mean we were dead. We all know what it's like, because we were dead a hundred years ago. It's not unknown to us, I fear death as much as I fear falling asleep at night. What's really scary is NEVER again hearing your mother's voice. NEVER is the scary part.

[@Danimal77]

@@DanIel-fl1vc I haven't heard my mother's voice in half a year because her pride doesn't let her call me and mine is doing the same thing. I'm 43 and she's 75. She under the influence of my step-father and my sisters. It sucks.

[@saskk2290]

As Christopher Hitchens put it, death is like leaving a really good party, and knowing the party will go on without you

[@Ferdinaand]

What's that movie of his with Sandra bullock

[@zasddsaf]

28 Days (2000)

[@mrdav2910]

I believe it was "28 Days"

[@highvibee]

What if you don’t believe in death? If there is a death it must be very moment to the next.

[@Lincoln2000]

Then you have a different perspective. But most people at least fear death. And if there's someone who doesn't believe in it, then he likely won't make art because of it, but maybe because of something else. Of course Viggo Mortensen defines art in a way which works for him. And I personally think it's very true what he said, because as someone who likes to write (not very good in the English language, but in German) I often find it much easier to create a text of a certain quality when I'm escaping a truth which is painful for me. When Viggo says that we are drawn to art as a way of avoiding discomfort, "discomfort" may also be a very good memory, which we try to remember in a certain way. So the discomfort would be a result of nostalgia in that particular case. And this concept works in a lot of different ways. But fear of death or suffering is a very strong reason to create art, because it's so intense. And not believing in death... well, that's very optimistic from my point of view. But that's another topic.

[@sarahthomson8183]

I am also irritated by death.

[@jurajm.5019]

should be patient

[@Knzw.1108]

if you don't know then why don't you seek answers? Why distract yourself from it?

[@Steadno]

Lay off the gravy burgers chubby cheeks