Living statue performance hard but amusing

ADANA

Living statue artists, who pose as mannequins for hours on the streets with their bodies fully painted and wear different types of costumes, go through a long preparation process before starting their tough job.

The artists, who present living statue performances, also called “street art,” first try to understand the basic features of the character they plan to perform.

The performers find the most basic mimics, costumes and positions of their character, and then start their show after long make-up and costume processes.

During the hours they remain unmoved, the artists have to concentrate on their show. They sometimes surprise people who come close to them or take photos by giving small reactions.

Özge Didem, the head of a living statue performance group, who came to the southern province of Adana for an event, said acting in a theatre and performing as a living statute were very different.

Speaking to state-run Anadolu Agency, she said being a living statute was extremely difficult.

“We examine the character in the show in all details, including their accessories. Then the acting comes. Our costumes are prepared and painted. The statue has to be very realistic. We usually produce our own accessories because it is sometimes hard to even find a wig. You are fully painted, and the paint is very heavy. We also have difficulties during the performances. We are in personal contact with people. It is hard to control people. They come very close to us,” Didem said.

‘People tweak our cheeks’

Didem said they receive appreciation and startle people during their performances, but their audiences also try to distract them during their show.

“Because we stand firm, people are sometimes stubborn. Sometimes they are very surprised about how we stand like this. They try to make us laugh and make different movements in front of us. They also tweak our cheeks. Such things happen, but they are not ill-intentioned. Of course, it becomes very funny as long as we don’t move and remain unmoved. Some are scared of us. Most people think that we are not real; they think we are mannequins or sculptures. This is the trick actually. This is what we want to do. They come close to us to take photos but when we move, they begin screaming. It is amusing,” she added.

Amusing and hard

Ali Cazim Gümüş, a 19-year-old who performs the British legendary director, actor, writer and comedian Charlie Chaplin, known widely for his character “The Tramp” (or Charlot), undergoes a long preparation process for his role.

He said people’s reactions during his performance give him different feelings. “People come close to see if I am alive. It makes us happy. I receive good reactions.”

Mercan Dökmen, 20, who performs the “Lord of the Rings” character “Legolas,” said they feel appreciated when they see people’s amused reactions.

“I was performing Legolas bowing. A small child came to me and touched me. Then he screamed to his friends saying ‘this is real, run.’ Of course we cannot laugh or give any reactions, but such things make us very happy,” he said.