Living statues, also known as ‘tableaux vivants,’ which translates from French to English as ‘living images,’ are thought to have originally been appreciated as a kind of art during the Renaissance.
In order to present themselves to visitors as statues or paintings, performers donned costumes, had their bodies painted, and stood still for extended periods of time.
This style of performance is still used by theatrical types nowadays, thus it must not be a simple job! Imagine the concentration and self-control needed to ignore all external stimuli and maintain perfect stillness from head to toe!
Think on the unpleasant bodily conditions—tense, painful muscles and warm, humid weather. Observing these actors perform is astounding!
These talented artists hardly ever, if ever, allow themselves to deviate from their personas. Despite everyone’s best efforts, the performers hardly ever falter by making any facial expressions, blinking their eyes, or moving. Unless perhaps it’s for a cute little dude like this one!
The copper cowboy in this movie is located at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, which looks like a fantastic location, not in Vegas or New York City.
As her son Cody strolls up to the Texas cowboy seated on a bench, Ashley Lawrence digitally captures the moment. Cody merely wants to get a better look; he has no malicious intentions.
The cowboy is seated close to the edge of the bench with his hands resting on one leg. As courageous as any other Texas tot, Cody charges the cowboy, places his tiny hands on his arms, and then looks directly up at him. Who could resist that adorable face?
The cowboy waits a full second before carefully patting Cody on the head with his left hand, leaning forward a little, and giving him a hug.
Cody is ecstatic. Mom is overjoyed! The performer then returns to position very immediately. He is aware that such concessions are only made for the most distinguished visitors.