Marilyn's Real Stage: The Curb
If human statues in Barcelona could pick their spots at will, I am pretty sure this guy impersonating Marilyn Monroe would have chosen the famous air vents up on the Passeig de Gràcia sidewalk. It would be the perfect fit. But instead of that iconic scene, he has to compete down here with a bunch of other statues in the thick of Las Ramblas.
The competition lately is fierce. You have the impressive rivals that are really hard to beat, and then you have many others that are, frankly, a bit ridiculous. There are way too many of them recently. But as I always say, my friends, crisis sharpens your survival skills, and the boat is already full of survivors.
Order in the Chaos: New Rules Coming
It sounds like the free-for-all is about to end. Local authorities have plans to limit the number of statues starting January next year. We are talking about a cap of just 30 performers, selected by the quality of their act. They will be working in two shifts—15 in the morning and 15 in the afternoon—and they will be confined to a restricted area exactly between the Pla de la Boqueria and the Arc del Teatre square.
Artists will actually have to send in a CV to get a spot! Also, imitations of animals or characters carrying weapons will be banned. Let's see how it all ends, as some attempts at regulation were made in the past with zero success.
The Intimacy of the Backstage
Hey, I almost forgot about Marilyn here. You know what? I actually prefer capturing these moments over the performance itself. This is the "backstage" session, right out in the open. It is when living statues are in the intimacy of their preparation, or taking a breather.
In this shot, you don't see the glamour; you see the grind. He is crouching down by his equipment box, maybe fixing his lipstick or grabbing a quick bite, completely lost in his own thoughts. He might be wondering what the heck he is doing standing on a pedestal all day without twitching a muscle.
It is a reminder of the human element. As I always say, please help the artist behind the statue. Don't pretend they are just part of the street furniture or Las Ramblas decoration. They are working hard.
