Sitting on a pedestal, dressed in a costume and wearing heavy theater makeup, I look like a Duane Hanson sculpture. Barriers surround me—creating a "no touch zone"—and a life-size Golden retriever or a black Labrador dog made of plaster sits patiently at my feet. I don't move or blink for long periods of time, which naturally attracts attention and increases the public's curiosity. Occasionally, I move my head slowly back and forth in a mechanical manner, which adds to the public's dilemma:

Is he or isn't he REAL? Everyone focuses on my eyes to see me blink, or on my chest to see me breathe. But the barriers keep them just far enough away to enhance the illusion. Frequently, people will say and do tilings to make me laugh—but to no avail. Finally, the long-awaited blink is witnessed, and they walk away smiling and shaking their heads, saying, "How does he do that?" Needless to say, the reactions of the audience become just as entertaining as the mannequin himself.

As a street performer, I can add atmosphere to any event in a location with a large pedestrian audience, such as an outdoor art festival, craft show, tourist attraction, fundraiser, street fair, or children's festival. For the past 8 years I have been entertaining as "The Living Statue" throughout South Florida and up the East Coast as far as Provincetown, Cape Cod. And no matter where I have performed, reactions have always been positive.