ᐆᒻᒪᖁᑎᒃ uummaqutik
essence of life

Audio tour

Credit

Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

Length: 50 minutes

A unique experience celebrating Inuit cultural and artistic heritage!

ᐆᒻᒪᖁᑎᒃ uummaqutik is a presentation of the MMFA’s Inuit art collection conceived in collaboration with Inuk artist and curator asinnajaq. It invites us to meditate on the rhythms of life that are particular to Canada’s circumpolar territories known together as Inuit Nunangat.

The audio tour offers detailed and evocative visual descriptions that make for a unique sensory experience. Featuring excerpts in Inuktitut, it includes accounts given by asinnajaq as well as those of artists and project collaborators, like graphic artist Thomassie Mangiok.

This audio tour was produced by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, in collaboration with Technoleads.

Summary

Welcome

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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uummaqutik - essence of life

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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Off to meet the mermaid

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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Iqualuullamiluuq (First Mermaid) that can Maneuver on the land (side car)

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Mattiusi Iyaituk (1950-), Étienne Guay, Iqualuullamiluuq (First Mermaid) That Can Manoeuvre on the Land (Sidecar), 2016, caribou antler, metal, aluminum, wood, plastic. ᐊᕙᑕᖅ ᐱᐅᓯᑐᖃᓕᕆᕕᒃ, collection of Avataq Cultural Institute. © Avataq Cultural Institute. Photo, Marie-Christine Couture, 2018

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Next stop: Summer camp

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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Untitled (Summer Camp)

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Peter Sala (1900-1991), Untitled (Summer Camp), about 1967, whale vertebra, steatite, ivory, string, wood, caribou antler, MMFA, purchase, gift of L. Marguerite Vaughan. Photo MMFA, Jean-François Brière

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In search of the singing stones

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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Katajjausivallaat, the Cradled Rhythm

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Niap (1986-), Katajjausivallaat, the Cradled Rhythm, 2018, Brazilian steatite, wire, sound recordings, headphones, pedestals. MMFA, purchase, Dr. Francis J. Shepherd Bequest. Photo MMFA, Jean-François Brière

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Into the warm glow

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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Qulliq

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Couzyn van Heuvelen (1987-). Qulliq, 2024, glass. MMFA, purchase, the Museum Campaign 1988-1993 Fund. Photo MMFA, Jean-François Brière

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Further on, in the face of adversity

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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Untitled

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Makusi Pangutu Anauta (1939-2022), Untitled, 1978, steatite, collection of the Avataq Cultural Institute. Photo MMFA, Jean-François Brière

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Meeting the extended family

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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Ilakka (My Extended Family)

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Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona (1986-), Ilakka (My Extended Family), 2023, partially glazed clay, slip, painted decoration. MMFA, purchase, the Frothingham Bursary Fund. Photo MMFA, Julie Ciot

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Language made into art

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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Tenture

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Arnaoyok Alookee (1944-),Tenture, 1976, cotton rope, caribou antler, MMFA, purchase, J. Bartlett Morgan Fund. Photo MMFA,Jean-François Brière

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To the elevated area

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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Untitled (Migration)

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Joe Talirunili (1906-1976), Untitled (Migration), 1964, steatite, sealskin, bone, synthetic sinew, paint, MMFA, gift of John G. McConnell. Photo MMFA, Christine Guest.

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In search of wisdom

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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Untitled (Old Woman Passing on Wisdom to Her Son)

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Lucassie Oqaituq (1921-?), Untitled (Old Woman Passing on Wisdom to Her Son), 1952, steatite, MMFA, purchase, William Gilman Cheney Bequest. Photo MMFA, Jean-François Brière

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Getting to the question

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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Untitled (Men Wrestling)

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Ennutsiak (1896-1967), Untitled, 1949, steatite, MMFA, purchase, Horsley and Annie Townsend Bequest. Photo MMFA, Jean-François Brière

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Next: Artworks on paper

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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Artworks on paper

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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Two sculptures

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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Untitled (Women Preparing Food)

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Ennutsiak (1896-1967), Untitled (Women Preparing Food), mid-1960s, basalt, ivory. MMFA, gift of the Museum of Inuit Art, Toronto. Photo MMFA, Christine Guest.

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On your way to Sapajuji (Protector)

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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Sapajuji

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Siku Allooloo (1986-), Sapajuji (Protector), 2021, wool, cotton, dye, sealskin, glass beads, pearls, abalone shell, caribou hide. MMFA, in process of acquisition. Photo MMFA, Jean-François Brière

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Concluding the tour

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Photo MMFA, Thomassie Mangiok

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