Canada's excellent Museum of Civilization has documented, through the photographs and text of enthnogeographer Norman Hallendy, the stark, stunning beauty of numerous examples of Inuksuit and other rock and stoneworks by the Inuit of the Arctic regions. The online (and travelling) exhibition, Places of Power: Objects of Veneration in the Canadian Arctic describes the images directly below (and many more) in great depth and detail. Even the casual observor might imagine the full figures that could have towered in ancient times above what may today be only remnants of their bases. More images and text are featured in Mr. Hallendy's book, Inuksuit: Silent Messengers of the Arctic. These images are shown on this site by direct permission of the author, and should not be used anywhere else without such permission.
Tradition: Inuit Rock Stacking and Balancing
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Contemporary varieties of Inuksuit such as those below are found both in the Arctic and further south. Some, created by Inuit, continue their tradition in new locations or scales. Others reflect the profound influence of Inuit art and culture upon all Canadians, and convey a similar respectful message of balanced strength and stability through careful placing and positioning of what are in some cases enormous stones. Bill Dan was aware of Inuit tradition when he began his balancing sculptures.
tell me about other traditions
© Daliel Leite
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