Begin your explorations by shooting the storefront window of a typical shop offering a range of souvenirs. Post the image and write an analysis of each souvenir:
What does each reference?
Each souvenir obviously represents some aspect of Prague that is perceived as valuable to a tourist's memory of this place.
There are magnets which reference a refrigerator, a family perhaps, a kitchen, and scenic views of Prague which are not represented as photographic images and are therefore surreal.
Big Baby Jesus: No, not Old Dirty Bastard, but the Infant Jesus of Prague whose fashionable attire lures tourists into believing. Figurines of this character are reproduced in an array of sizes and represent an anomaly particular to Prague, religion, decoration, adoration and humor.
Old Town Buildings: Minis of the astronomical clock and the Hrad remind me of the model of Cesky Krumlov that left a lot to be desired. These buildings reference the attractions of Prague that are the most well known to tourists.
Clock: The clock doesn't necessarily have anything to do with Prague except for the decoration on the face which again depicts a surreal scene from postcard Prague, featuring the Karlov Most and Hrad in the distance.
Plates: The scenes depicted on the plates and the clock reference the buildings and the city, but also remind those who look at it of how the feelings and memories attached to these scenes.
Crystal: The many figures and pieces of crystal reference the long tradition of Bohemian crystal and reference precision and craft through their material but not necessarily through the literal figures.
Who crafted or manufactured them?
It is pretty obvious that these souvenirs are not handmade. By the shiny, newness of them all and the way they are carefully crammed into this window, they are not being displayed in a way that shows how unique and irreplaceable they are. I am not sure if these souvenirs came from China or some other mecca of mass-production, but the sheer abundance of them and the rest of the merchandise in the store lead me to believe they were far from handmade and one-of-a-kind.
What properties does each souvenir possess that would make it attractive to tourists?
As mentioned previously, some of these souvenirs are simply depicting typical (yet still beautiful) scenes from Prague, like the magnets, clock, and plates. These objects might attract tourists because of the view of the city shows their favorite building, points out one of the highlights, serves as part of a collection they have started, or is just a random gift for someone else who might want to see some of Prague.
Other souvenirs are representing something very specific to this place, like a replica that one can take home and display but serves no real function. The Infant of Prague figurines and the miniature buildings of the Astronomical Clock are examples of this which is also what may make them attractive.
The crystal itself is beautiful and may attract a collector or a person interested having a nice(r) souvenir that looks a little more
sophisticated.
What forces are at play that make one souvenir more special than another?
Placement and lighting within a store window or interior are important factors that can make something more or less special. Also the frequency that the souvenir appears in the store or in other similar stores is important in making the buyer feel like they are justified in making the purchase. Also the personal experience that the buyer has with the image or reference to Prague made through the souvenir draws them to the object initially. One might not want a Big Baby Jesus unless they had a special enlightening with him or knows someone else who did.
The atmosphere, personnel, and music in the store also influence
what a person picks up as a souvenir as well as who the souvenir will eventually belong to. It's size, weight and cost also influence the specialness of souvenirs.
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