Nestled in between two monolithic condominium buildings lies the barely functional remnants of the Galleria, situated on the south side of Dupont Street, between Dufferin and Lansdowne Streets, in the city of Toronto. A decrepit low rise strip mall, the Galleria is destined to be demolished to make way for yet another monolithic structure. However, for the time being, one will see the recently painted, eerie images created by Istvan Kantor artistically known as Monty Cantsin on the north wall of the Galleria facing Dupont Street.
The northern wall is entirely adorned with sections depicting Kantor’s the Wandering Jew, an image that has haunted his life and artistic endeavours since his youth. Each section illustrates the wandering Jew navigating through various scenarios that symbolize the solitude inherent in life’s journey through time. Simultaneously, he ridicules his own existence with an image pointing westward at the outset, accompanied by the text “Stop Him, there he is”.
The creation of the entire wall spanned two weeks, during which Kantor worked exclusively at night to avoid drawing attention to himself and his artwork. At the far end, he presents himself as Monty Cantsin, with the overarching title of the entire exhibition being “Illegal Alien,” a piece of art that is ultimately destined for destruction.
Each image carries a unique narrative that invites viewers to engage their imagination and connect it to their own experiences. The figure of the Wandering Jew could symbolize yourself or someone familiar, facing the challenges that everyday life brings and the various obstacles encountered along the way. The image, as a whole, unconsciously symbolizes the artist’s life and the challenges he has faced from his past to the present. It encapsulates a journey through time.
Kantor is a multidisciplinary artist. His practice includes media art, performance, installation, sound art, robotics, writing and music. As a performance artist, the favourite medium of this art-mastermind is blood. The artist demonstrates a high level of discipline in his practice, which he approaches with great seriousness. He meticulously creates images and documents his work through photographs and films, maintaining these records throughout his life with exceptional care and thorough documentation. From the time of his immigration to Canada from Hungary in 1977, Cantsin has created a vast oeuvre of work which tends to be quite subversive, challenging and sometimes quite shocking. In the paintings on the Galleria wall, he continues to use his favourite leitmotifs of the Wandering Jew and the Wolf to carry out his message.
The Wandering Jew is a famous motif found throughout the annals of history. It is a legendary figure of a man cursed to wander the earth until the Second Coming of Christ. Originally, this image emerged in 13th century folklore, the myth weaponized for centuries to justify anti-Semitism by framing the Jewish diaspora as a divine punishment for rejecting Jesus. It has occasionally been reclaimed, adapted or explored for its tragic and human elements in literature and Jewish cultural memory.
Another favourite image to be found on this wall is the image of the wolf. This image is one of the oldest and most complex archetypes found in human history. The wolf represents a powerful duality, revered as a wise guardian, loyal protector and ancestor, while simultaneously eared as a symbol of chaos, destruction and untamed darkness.
The unveiling of Monty Cantsin Amen “Illegal Alien” took place on June 27th, from 2:00 to 4:00pm, attracting a significant audience and highlighting his latest artistic endeavour. Kantor viewed the act of creating his work as a performance in itself, further enhanced by his presence at the unveiling event. Dressed in a long overcoat and wielding a wooden stick/cane, he embodied the figure of the Wandering Jew, captivating guests with a newly composed jingle that provided both enjoyment and entertainment.
This mural is essential for art enthusiasts and history aficionados seeking engaging experiences that will spark conversation. The mural exhibition is expected to remain intact for several months, potentially years, until the galleria mall is demolished or it falls victim to graffiti artists. Visitors can unwind and reflect on the artwork in its entirety while enjoying a coffee at the Three Horses Café, conveniently located just across the street. This is undoubtedly an experience worth attending.
Roy Bernardi and Jennifer Leskiw