Walking the Path

Douglas Coupland

“I grew up thinking the Americans lost the War of 1812, and it turns out there’s this creeping revisionism happening. Americans are saying maybe we didn’t lose. Maybe we won it,” 

- Douglas Coupland on the release of his new art installation about the War of 1812

Rememberance Day was on Tuesday in Canada and a lot of people have been saying that World War I will be forgotten when the last veteran dies. But all the veterans from the War of 1812 are dead and now people are starting to revise the events that actually happened. 

I’ve always been a history buff and changing history to suit a person’s/organization’s own purposes has never sat well with me. That’s why I’m so happy that one of my favourite writers/visual artists Douglas Coupland released his toy soldiers installation in downtown Toronto at the beginning of the month. It’s protecting history as it really happened without throwing it in everyone’s face but still being out there for everyone to see.

The installation also has a real kitsch factor to it and it makes a clear statement about who won the war. That’s a better use of money than some abstract sculpture which nobody can agree on what it is.

I am definitely looking out for it next time I am in Toronto.

J.