Canada’s identity has always been considered to be a cultural mosaic of many international elements. On the surface, it may seem difficult to describe what exactly is the culture of this vast country. However, if one examines the history of Canadian art and compares it to the development of Canadian identity, one can easily discern their correlation. The rise of Canadian artistic expression in the 20th century greatly contributed to the Canadian identity by illustrating the growing nationalism in accompaniment to a stronger sense of independence. The evolution of the various sectors of art, such as the unique Canadian landscapes painted by the Group of Seven, the distinctive aboriginal folklore and songs gathered and promoted by Helen Creighton,
…show more content…
Its ambitious growth in classical music at the turn of the century, especially the establishment of the National Opera Company and the T. Mendelssohn Choir, was stalled by the emerging scene of World War I. It did not resume its expansion until after the Great Depression when music school facilities took root and broadcast studios were founded (Kallman). These two trends resulted in the increased education of up-and-coming musicians and exposure of more Canadian music. The only knighted musician in this period was Sir Ernest Macmillan, who began his music career when he was identified as an “enemy alien” and developed his musical aptitude in prison concerts. During the 1930s, he won multiple medals and honorary diplomas for his contribution to the cultivation of future Canadian musicians (Beckwith). Artists that benefited from patrons like MacMillan include Glenn Gould, who would eventually be one of the first champions of recordings and technology in music (Bazzana). Without the early push for more Canadian musical talents, there would not be as much success as there was after the 1950s. It was also during this time that aboriginal music was recognized and pop music became popular. The first wave of rock and roll hit Canada with the arrival of the Hawks, who toured with Bob Dylan and eventually formed their album of songs that described North American folklore. Their music used …show more content…
Around the same time that European art was duplicated in Canada and the only films being produced were immigration ads, Canadian literature was restricted to following strict stereotypes of arctic wastelands and wilderness (New). Its themes mostly consisted of discovery, uncertainty, adventure and novelty, all concepts associated with an unknown nation or landscape. An interesting sequence of irony and litotes (negative positive, such as “I don't hate salmon”) was noted, which some scholars suggested was an indication of our country’s insecurities and tendency to avoid stating what they want exactly. It was also important to acknowledge that each region of Canada had a distinct style: Catholic Quebec was dangerously mysterious, Ontario was proud and manipulative, Prairies represented isolation and loneliness, Atlantic Canada was a reminder of the happier, simpler times of Canada, and Northern Canada wasn’t mentioned often but assumed to be a land of future possibiltles (New). Despite the incredible Aboriginal presence in Canada, its stories were dismissed as childhood fantasies and not recorded. This situation continued until after World War I, where immigrants and workers’ rights became recurring concepts within the school for presentations. Political and social problems were tackled as well, such as Dorothy Livesay’s feminist theme in her novels. The arrival
Its ambitious growth in classical music at the turn of the century, especially the establishment of the National Opera Company and the T. Mendelssohn Choir, was stalled by the emerging scene of World War I. It did not resume its expansion until after the Great Depression when music school facilities took root and broadcast studios were founded (Kallman). These two trends resulted in the increased education of up-and-coming musicians and exposure of more Canadian music. The only knighted musician in this period was Sir Ernest Macmillan, who began his music career when he was identified as an “enemy alien” and developed his musical aptitude in prison concerts. During the 1930s, he won multiple medals and honorary diplomas for his contribution to the cultivation of future Canadian musicians (Beckwith). Artists that benefited from patrons like MacMillan include Glenn Gould, who would eventually be one of the first champions of recordings and technology in music (Bazzana). Without the early push for more Canadian musical talents, there would not be as much success as there was after the 1950s. It was also during this time that aboriginal music was recognized and pop music became popular. The first wave of rock and roll hit Canada with the arrival of the Hawks, who toured with Bob Dylan and eventually formed their album of songs that described North American folklore. Their music used …show more content…
Around the same time that European art was duplicated in Canada and the only films being produced were immigration ads, Canadian literature was restricted to following strict stereotypes of arctic wastelands and wilderness (New). Its themes mostly consisted of discovery, uncertainty, adventure and novelty, all concepts associated with an unknown nation or landscape. An interesting sequence of irony and litotes (negative positive, such as “I don't hate salmon”) was noted, which some scholars suggested was an indication of our country’s insecurities and tendency to avoid stating what they want exactly. It was also important to acknowledge that each region of Canada had a distinct style: Catholic Quebec was dangerously mysterious, Ontario was proud and manipulative, Prairies represented isolation and loneliness, Atlantic Canada was a reminder of the happier, simpler times of Canada, and Northern Canada wasn’t mentioned often but assumed to be a land of future possibiltles (New). Despite the incredible Aboriginal presence in Canada, its stories were dismissed as childhood fantasies and not recorded. This situation continued until after World War I, where immigrants and workers’ rights became recurring concepts within the school for presentations. Political and social problems were tackled as well, such as Dorothy Livesay’s feminist theme in her novels. The arrival