Golden-painted street performers transformed into living statues appeared in Osaka's bustling Umeda underground district to draw attention to the health consequences of maintaining poor posture for extended periods. The unique exhibition, which began on August 18, aims to educate the public about how prolonged periods in the same position can lead to shoulder pain and other musculoskeletal problems.
The creative health awareness campaign, titled "Chokoku na Shisei Ten," features a clever play on Japanese words combining "chokoku" meaning sculpture and "cho koku" meaning extremely tough. Five professional statue performers, primarily from the Kansai region of western Japan, participated in the exhibition held in the underground passage in front of Osaka Station in Kita Ward. The performers covered their faces and costumes in gold paint to achieve a realistic statue-like appearance.
The living statues recreated common everyday postures that frequently contribute to shoulder pain and poor posture habits. These included typical modern scenarios such as people hunched over smartphones during their daily commute, office workers slouching at their desks during long work sessions, individuals sitting on the ground while watching fireworks, and vendors standing over grills while preparing takoyaki octopus balls, a beloved Osaka street food specialty.
The interactive element of the exhibition allowed passersby to bring the statues to life by inserting coins into nearby collection boxes. Once activated by donations, the performers would break their rigid poses and demonstrate healthy movement patterns, including shoulder rotations and stretching exercises designed to counteract the negative effects of poor posture.
This promotional campaign was sponsored by pharmaceutical company SSP Co. to highlight their pain relief medications, which are marketed not only for common ailments like headaches and menstrual pain but also for shoulder and neck discomfort caused by postural problems. The company sought to raise awareness about the broader applications of their products in addressing modern lifestyle-related pain issues.
Living statue performances represent a form of street art that originated in France and have become a familiar sight in tourist destinations throughout Europe and the United States. The art form requires performers to maintain absolute stillness for extended periods while dressed in elaborate costumes and makeup, often depicting historical figures, mythological characters, or abstract artistic concepts.
The Osaka exhibition drew curious crowds of passersby who were delighted and surprised by the sudden movements of the performers. Many visitors smiled, laughed, and took photographs with their smartphones when the statues came to life, creating an engaging and memorable public health education experience in the busy urban environment.
The campaign continued with additional performances scheduled for August 23 and 24, with four separate one-hour sessions planned for each day. This extended schedule allowed more commuters and tourists passing through the heavily trafficked Umeda Station area to encounter the unusual health awareness display and learn about the importance of maintaining good posture in their daily lives.
