“All is as if the world did cease to exist. The city’s monuments go
unseen, its past unheard, and its culture slowly fading in the dismal
sea.”
―
Today, while I was out on my walk, there was something strangely eerie, even haunting, about seeing all these mannequins lined up in the front window of a local opportunity shop. From a distance, they even appeared strangely human, and like the rest of us, frozen in suspended animation under some kind of a spell. Indeed, they’re even social distancing behind the glass. At the moment, they also have nowhere to go. The shop is shut due to Covid 19 until further notice.
When you take a closer look at each mannequin, you immediately sense the enormous care, attention to detail, and dare I say love; which have gone into dressing each one, especially when we’re talking about throwing together a pile of second-hand clothes. Every mannequin has also been given a pair of matching shoes, as if even they couldn’t possibly be seen barefoot, which is quite something for a beach community. Indeed, they could each be Cinderella dressed up to go to the ball. However, they each have their own personalities and different places to go. Some of the mannequins have even been positioned together…a couple, mother and daughter and a Central Coast Mariners’ supporter. All these stories just waiting to to be lived out, once the door finally re-opens and each of these outfits finally walks out.
Of course, not everyone is living in suspended animation at the moment. Far too many are caught in the gruelling grip of the Coronavirus, have lost loved ones or are working on the front line saving lives. For those who have lost jobs and are desperately wondering how to make ends meet, they’re also feeling way too stressed to zone out as well.
These are traumatic, strange and eerie times. However, there are also moments like seeing this window filled with quirky mannequins, where you can crack a smile and take the edge off it all. This is what people in a host of very intense situations have always done to cope and it helps.
We’re thinking of you all in whatever situation you’re in.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Beyond the Flow 