Balena Project

MUKTUK

YEAR
2008
DETAILS
  • Bone clay
  • Variable installation
  • Execution by Emilio Romano
  • Installation views at Ikon Gallery/Mail Box, Birmingham UK (2008);
  • UniCredit Bank, Piazza Cordusio, Milan (2009)
CREDITS
  • Photo: A. Guidetti & G. Ricci,
  • F. Whipps, A. Torboli

The Ninit – community shares of meat and blubber of hunted whale – are apportioned equitably to ensure that everyone benefits from a successful hunt. The pieces of the dismembered whale body, its thick, fatty parts, light and energy supplied with blood, are named Muktuk. Muktuk is the traditional Inuit and Chukchi meal of frozen whale skin and blubber. Pieces of white ceramic scattered on the ground, as if after a butchering in which no knife or blade were used, only words. Thoughts torn to pieces, to feed on.