Souvenir of Canada
Encyclopedia
Souvenir of Canada is a 2002 book written by Canadian author Douglas Coupland
. A feature film based on the book was released theatrically in 2006.
In the book's introduction, Coupland states his intention was to author a book about Canada
"that only Canadians would get." Souvenir of Canada is thus a book that is mostly about fairly obscure Canadian cultural
matters, many of which reflect the author's own experiences growing up as a Canadian.
Arranged alphabetically with some artistic exceptions, the book is a collection of essays on uniquely Canadian experiences and objects, such as bilingualism, Anglophilia
, beer bottles, cigarette warning labels, Kraft
macaroni and cheese
, and the Trans-Canada Highway
. Each item is given a witty summary by Coupland, often drawing on personal anecdotes. Most also feature a unique photographic illustration, either through stock footage
or an original photo by Coupland himself.
Though much of the book mocks Canadian nationalism
and various national myths of Canada, Coupland states that he still considers himself patriotic. In analyzing various mundane items his intent is to show "another side" of Canadian culture that is less glamorous, but "still a part of who we are."
In 2004 a sequel was released, Souvenir of Canada 2. It largely copied the format of the original, profiling new cultural artifacts. It also featured a photo essay
on "Canada House," an abandoned pre-fabricated home in Vancouver
that Coupland had decorated with sculptures and furniture made of items he considered to be quintessentially Canadian.
The second book deviates from the format of the first book by featuring more photographs, fewer essays, and the large essay on Canada House. For instance, the Oka article is told without an essay, but as a footnote to two pictures.
House. The house was gutted of items, and painted entirely white, including the fireplace, the roof, the floor, and all fixtures.
Coupland, also a trained sculptor, created many different art installations for the house, which embody Canadian experiences, memories and ideals. For instance, he built a sofa called the "Treaty Couch" which had a large seating area upholstered with red plaid, with a very small seat which was upholstered with the pattern of a cowichan sweater.
Canada House was constructed in November 2003, and took two weeks to setup. The installation was open for five days. The construction and the days the installation were open are featured in the film adaptation, Souvenir of Canada. The installation was then moved to Toronto for a brief exhibition before reaching its final destination in the Canadian Embassy in London, England.
The feature film adaptation of the book, also entitled Souvenir of Canada, is a humorous and candid portrait of Coupland who is filmed while creating his art installation "Canada House". The film has a much larger biographical focus than the books, with interviews with both Coupland’s parents, family, and friends. The film also addresses the most revealing and touching biographical moments from the books, with actors playing the part of Coupland as a youth and his father as a youth.
The film was directed by Robin Neinstein and interweaves essays from the book visualized imaginatively through animation, dramatic scenes and old stock footage. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival
and US Comedy Arts Festival and was produced by Media Headquarters Film & Television and the National Film Board of Canada
. It is distributed by Maple Pictures
.
. The book’s design was mostly done by Jen Eby, with City of Glass
as the model. His 2005 book Terry, about Terry Fox
, is also heavily derivative of the City of Glass/Souvenir of Canada format.
Douglas Coupland
Douglas Coupland is a Canadian novelist. His fiction is complemented by recognized works in design and visual art arising from his early formal training. His first novel, the 1991 international bestseller Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, popularized terms such as McJob and...
. A feature film based on the book was released theatrically in 2006.
In the book's introduction, Coupland states his intention was to author a book about Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
"that only Canadians would get." Souvenir of Canada is thus a book that is mostly about fairly obscure Canadian cultural
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
matters, many of which reflect the author's own experiences growing up as a Canadian.
Souvenir of Canada
Anglophilia
An Anglophile is a person who is fond of English culture or, more broadly, British culture. Its antonym is Anglophobe.-Definition:The word comes from Latin Anglus "English" via French, and is ultimately derived from Old English Englisc "English" + Ancient Greek φίλος - philos, "friend"...
, beer bottles, cigarette warning labels, Kraft
Kraft Foods
Kraft Foods Inc. is an American confectionery, food and beverage conglomerate. It markets many brands in more than 170 countries. 12 of its brands annually earn more than $1 billion worldwide: Cadbury, Jacobs, Kraft, LU, Maxwell House, Milka, Nabisco, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Trident, Tang...
macaroni and cheese
Macaroni and cheese
Macaroni and cheese, also known as "mac and cheese", "macaroni cheese" in British English, or "macaroni pie" in Caribbean English, is a casserole consisting of cooked macaroni and cheese sauce...
, and the Trans-Canada Highway
Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway system that joins the ten provinces of Canada. It is, along with the Trans-Siberian Highway and Australia's Highway 1, one of the world's longest national highways, with the main route spanning 8,030 km...
. Each item is given a witty summary by Coupland, often drawing on personal anecdotes. Most also feature a unique photographic illustration, either through stock footage
Stock footage
Stock footage, and similarly, archive footage, library pictures and file footage are film or video footage that may or may not be custom shot for use in a specific film or television program. Stock footage is of beneficial use to filmmakers as it is sometimes less expensive than shooting new...
or an original photo by Coupland himself.
Though much of the book mocks Canadian nationalism
Canadian nationalism
Canadian nationalism is a term which has been applied to ideologies of several different types which highlight and promote specifically Canadian interests over those of other countries, notably the United States...
and various national myths of Canada, Coupland states that he still considers himself patriotic. In analyzing various mundane items his intent is to show "another side" of Canadian culture that is less glamorous, but "still a part of who we are."
Titles of the Essays
The titles of the essays are, in order:
|
|
|
Souvenir of Canada 2
Photo essay
A photo-essay is a set or series of photographs that are intended to tell a story or evoke a series of emotions in the viewer. A photo essay will often show pictures in deep emotional stages. Photo essays range from purely photographic works to photographs with captions or small notes to full text...
on "Canada House," an abandoned pre-fabricated home in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
that Coupland had decorated with sculptures and furniture made of items he considered to be quintessentially Canadian.
The second book deviates from the format of the first book by featuring more photographs, fewer essays, and the large essay on Canada House. For instance, the Oka article is told without an essay, but as a footnote to two pictures.
Canada House
Canada House was an art installation in Vancouver, British Columbia, that was built into a 1950’s CMHCCanada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is a Crown corporation, owned by the Government of Canada, founded after World War II to provide housing for returning soldiers...
House. The house was gutted of items, and painted entirely white, including the fireplace, the roof, the floor, and all fixtures.
Coupland, also a trained sculptor, created many different art installations for the house, which embody Canadian experiences, memories and ideals. For instance, he built a sofa called the "Treaty Couch" which had a large seating area upholstered with red plaid, with a very small seat which was upholstered with the pattern of a cowichan sweater.
Canada House was constructed in November 2003, and took two weeks to setup. The installation was open for five days. The construction and the days the installation were open are featured in the film adaptation, Souvenir of Canada. The installation was then moved to Toronto for a brief exhibition before reaching its final destination in the Canadian Embassy in London, England.
Titles of the Essays
|
|
|
Film adaptation
The film was directed by Robin Neinstein and interweaves essays from the book visualized imaginatively through animation, dramatic scenes and old stock footage. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues...
and US Comedy Arts Festival and was produced by Media Headquarters Film & Television and the National Film Board of Canada
National Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada is Canada's twelve-time Academy Award-winning public film producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary, animation, alternative drama and digital media productions...
. It is distributed by Maple Pictures
Maple pictures
Maple Pictures Corporation is the distribution arm of Alliance Films. It was formed on April 25, 2005 when Lions Gate Entertainment demerged to two companies -- Lions Gate Entertainment and Maple Pictures...
.
Design
The format of this book is derived from Coupland’s book, City of GlassCity of Glass
City of Glass may refer to:* Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada* City of Glass , a 1985 novel by Paul Auster** City of Glass: The Graphic Novel, a 1994 graphic novel adaptation by Paul Karasik and David Mazzucchelli...
. The book’s design was mostly done by Jen Eby, with City of Glass
City of Glass
City of Glass may refer to:* Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada* City of Glass , a 1985 novel by Paul Auster** City of Glass: The Graphic Novel, a 1994 graphic novel adaptation by Paul Karasik and David Mazzucchelli...
as the model. His 2005 book Terry, about Terry Fox
Terry Fox
Terrance Stanley "Terry" Fox , was a Canadian humanitarian, athlete, and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated, he embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research...
, is also heavily derivative of the City of Glass/Souvenir of Canada format.