People flock to Israel's Rehovot for living statues festival

The festival aims to change perceptions of the art form as an occupation associated with amateurs. (Photo: AP)

Odelia Liberman, centre between the drops character, performs during the 9th Living Statues International Festival in Rehovot, Israel, Tuesday, July 3, 2018. Living statues were a regular feature of medieval festivities and pageantry. (Photo: AP)

Italy's Camilo clown, augustus character, preforms during the 9th Living Statues International Festival in Rehovot, Israel, Tuesday, July 3, 2018. Performers create an illusion of complete stillness while standing. (Photo: AP)

Brazil's Euzebio Santos, The Mad Hatter character, performs during the 9th Living Statues International Festival in Rehovot, Tuesday, July 3, 2018. Artists dressed up as characters in colourful outfits hold very still. (Photo: AP)

Portugal's Sandra Bernardo and Elisabeth Nobrega, The Blind Faith characters, perform during the 9th Living Statues International Festival in Rehovot, Tuesday, July 3, 2018. The festival is held in Rehovot from July 3 to July 5. (Photo: AP)

Artists preform during the 9th Living Statues International Festival in Rehovot, Israel, Tuesday, July 3, 2018. It also encourages people to interact with "statues". Almost 150 international and local performers participate in the event. (Photo: AP)

Artists prepare for the 9th Living Statues International Festival in Rehovot, Israel, Tuesday, July 3, 2018. The event is free of charge. (Photo: AP)

Efi Katz, The Mona Liza character, preforms during the 9th Living Statues International Festival in Rehovot, Tuesday, Israel, July 3, 2018. (Photo: AP)