TRAGEDY, TRIUMPH AND A SHIMMERING HOLIDAY HARE

darkness to light during the holiday season

The Temporary Hare-above

A week ago, someone threw a brick through the window of a small, neighborhood market on a main thoroughfare in Midtown Toronto. This was the second, random glass-shattering attack for the owner. The first one occurred about six weeks ago at another of his small but successful businesses, much beloved by his customers. No arrests have been made.

Smashed Window-above

One day, while getting my haircut in the same ‘hood, a man entered to tell my stylist that they were having yet another meeting about all the window-smashing that seems to have overtaken this upscale, commercial/residential part of Toronto. No one knows who is responsible and it feels like just another anonymous, post-Covid, Hunger Games phenomenon that tears at the cracks of our existence. Violence for its own sake against people who work hard and are trying to make a living. They target popular places. Some of them bravely stayed open during lockdowns providing a comforting sense for customers that parts of their pre-Covid world still existed.

In the scheme of things, these events are nothing major. No one has been physically harmed, as the brick and rock throwing happens overnight when the stores are empty. The broken glass makes only a mess, and a gaping hole. But that’s not to say that this vandalism doesn’t leave an emotional mark. It is frightening to realize that an anonymous fellow citizen is directing rage at you and your enterprise. The damage may or may not be covered by insurance. At roughly four thousand dollars for clean up and a new install, it is just under the amount that makes a claim worthwhile. The small business owners suck it up and wait for the next hit.

Boarded Up-above

The pressboard barrier was up within hours and was installed by a crew who report they are constantly busy remediating the onslaught against Midtown’s entrepreneurs. It was an ugly scar on a lovely, vintage brick building, a reminder that something is terribly wrong — a visual of societal dysfunction — and a grim rebuke that all is not well. It was hard to walk by it and not feel saddened for the owner and the people who work there.

But then a kind of miracle happened. A couple of days after the pressboard went up, there appeared a beautiful and haunting painting of a brown hare. Created over the ugly wooden barrier this shimmering image is intrepid in its size and countenance, like a Warhol portrait but without the artifice. It is lovely and one can’t help but feel that it represents a triumph of beauty and grace over the ugliness that has overtaken this city and and at times, our own hearts.

The Holiday Hare Returns Over New Window Install-above

It was painted by a young artist, just out of OCAD who works at the market. She has captured the imagination of the neighbourhood plus the hundreds of cars that go by everyday. The hare painting is so uplifting and popular that the business owner decided to reinstall it after the broken window was replaced. Many of us hope it will stay forever.

So here is a true holiday story when we need it the most. Not contrived or invented to manipulate us. It really happened. Talent, goodness, perseverance against the odds and in the midst of a small tragedy, grace from the paintbrush of an inspired young woman.

As the Small Nutbrown Hare said to the Big Nutbrown Hare: guess how much I love you?

Magic happens, still. Hold tight to it when it does.

This week’s show and more in my next post.

Update: Anita Lasek, the artist has given me permission to use her name. Her website is anitalasek.com and her instagram name is anisiu. She posted a comment below so feel free to engage with Anita!