Inuksuit construction with Norman Hallendy The term inuksuk
(the singular of inuksuit) means "to act in the capacity of a human"
and is an extension of the word inuk or "human being." Among
the most important objects created by the Inuit, inuksuit inhabit both
the temporal and spiritual landscapes. Among many practical functions,
they were employed as hunting and navigation aids, indicators, and message
centers. Some are mentioned in aya-yait, the traveling songs
passed from one generation to the next to help travelers remember a
series of directions for long trips. Inuksuit appear not only on the
earthly landscape but in legends and stories, in figures and shapes
created from finger string games, and in winter constellations. The
Inuit also constructed stone figures called inunnguaq, which
means "in the likeness of a human." Certain inuksuk-like
figures were objects of veneration, often marking the threshold of the
spiritual landscape.
Hallendy
will supervise the construction of four inuksuit on the St. Lawrence
campus. A tikkuuti, a pointer, a series of single upright stones,
called napataq, which, in the Arctic are meant to be seen from
a great distance, will be constructed on a prominent mound of earth
adjacent to the outdoor astronomy observatory by the science quad. The
tikkuuti will point to Niqirsuituq, the North Star, and will
be used to orient observers of the night sky. An innunguaq, "in
the likeness of a human," will be placed in the foyer of the Owen
D. Young Library. In the past, an innunguaq was constructed to
tell whalers that Inuit were nearby or built to express thanks for living
in a favorable area. Its distinctive human-like shape is familiar, and
in an abstracted form, adorns the Nunavut flag. A niungvaliruluit
will be aligned with the Avenue of the Elms on the northeast side of
campus. This type of inuksuk is constructed in the shape of a
window, framing something important. In the Arctic, such sight lines
may extend to a star, an earthly place, or an object of great importance.
The Inuit say that niungvaliruluit were often constructed by
those who felt the need to attach their thoughts to distant and familiar
places, especially when they were a long way from home. A fourth inuksuk
will be constructed in the Richard F. Brush Art Gallery.
Don Butters, a writer and dry stone wall builder who lives
in West Potsdam, New York, has chosen local stones for the inuksuit
and will collaborate with Hallendy on their design and construction.
The inuksuit constructions are made possible with funds from
the David B. Steinman Endowment.
