For several thousands of years, in many world cultures, the virgin has been associated with a special kind of purity, which can be transferred to others through touch. From the Roman Empire, there are descriptions in Pliny's Naturalis Historia about the virgin’s touch as an effective agent in the curing of epilepsy, and there are widespread notions in European folklore about the healing powers of a virgin touch, which can heal wounds, remove warts and bless the new-born. In many instances, articles used by virgins have also been considered magical objects, with healing properties.
In May 2019, the Virgin World Tour visited Pune in India (TIFA), where interested followers and pedestrians on the street could hand over personal items for the virgin’s touch and bring them home again as auspicious artifacts.
The map below shows selected gathered items, which were touched by the virgin during the sojourn in Pune. Further on down the page can be seen a gallery with all the objects that were touched during the visit. These artifacts can be purchased in the shop.
Artifacts. Pune. (Photos: Lasse Mouritzen)
Artifacts. Pune. Purchase in the shop.
Artifacts. Prag. (Photos: Rebekka Bentzen)
Artifacts. Prague. Purchase in the shop.
Virgin Tour Tjekkiet - thanks to: Prague Quadrennial, Scenograf Forbundet, Lysdesignernes ophavsretsforvaltning, Sara Vildslev, Rebekka Bentzen, Agnes Rahbek, Jakob Pelch, Mathias Hersland, Yaw Darko, Bargav Sridhar, Michala Kohotová, Scenografie.
Virgin Tour Indien - thanks to: TIFA Working Studios. Lasse Mouritzen. Kauer Chimuk. Agnes Rahbek.