CoatOfArms
TMF Novice
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2020
- Messages
- 56
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- 18
Just a small note before you start reading. It is a fictional story, but it was inspired by an unusual modern art museum named Villa Carmignac, located in Southern France, on a small island called Porquerolles. What I found so interesting about this place is the fact that all visitors have to take their shoes off before they enter. And this applies to the staff as well. Form what I understand, the idea is to watch the exhibition in silence, without the sounds of shoes scratching the floor and also to “feel freedom” and watch art in and unusual way. And to make sure the visitors feel like in home. They also change the exhibition every year and the museum is usually open from April till November. And now with introduction out of the way, let’s dive into the story. Hope you will enjoy it.
THE EXHIBITION WORTH VISITING
Anna finished packing her small bag and - after quickly checking if she took everything - she closed it and was nearly ready to leave. She then put on her leather flat sandals and after strapping them, she stood in front of the mirror to check how she looked. Her outfit consisted of long white linen trousers and dark blue t-shirt. Anna thought it looked really decent and that this would be a perfect outfit for a warm weather that was forecasted for today. Finally, she tied her long brown hair with a hairband, grabbed a hat and a pair of sunglasses and she left her hotel room.
Anna was 23 years old and she was studding Architecture in Paris. Two weeks ago she managed to pass all her exams with flying colours and she decided she should go on some well-deserved holiday. After some searching, Anna finally picked a small mediterranean island called Sainte-Cecile, situated close to a southern French shore. And so far she was really satisfied with her choice. Sainte-Cecile was a beautiful and peaceful place. What’s more, she went there in late May, shortly before the summer holiday season, and Sainte-Cecile wasn’t crowded with tourists yet. So Anna could enjoy peace and quiet. During her first two days she walked around the charming town, tried some local cuisine and relaxed in hotel’s garden.
Today Anna decided to visit Villa Bergamotte. She never heard about his place before, but when she read a brochure advertising it in the hotel lobby, she found it really interesting. The note said that the villa was a museum of modern art, and the owners of this place were trying to find new ways to present exhibitions and engage their visitors. And every year they had a new exhibition. It was open from May till November and Anna thought that it might be fun to visit it and see what it is about.
Villa Begramotte was located on a small hill, some distance from the town where Anna was staying. But she really enjoyed this lengthy stroll - the views were breath-taking and the shadows casted by nearby trees and cool sea breeze made the hot temperature much more bearable. After twenty minutes of walking she finally reached the main gate. Behind it she saw the villa, a modernist white building perfectly blending into a nearby landscape. She also noticed a poster hanging on a wall, advertising this year’s new exhibition, simply titled: LAUGHTER. There were also drawing of feathers and laughing faces on the background.
‘At least I might have a bit of laugh. I wonder what those feathers mean. Tickling?’ thought Anna, as she crossed the gate.
She walked towards the main entrance, pushed a large glass door and entered the bright spacious hall. A middle-aged women was sitting behind the desk and was busy doing some paperwork. But when she noticed Anna, she smiled and put the documents aside.
‘Hello, welcome in Villa Bergamotte, what can I do for you?’
‘Good morning, I would like to buy one student ticket’ said Anna and showed the receptionist her student license.
‘Of course, just give me a second to print the ticket for you, that will be 15 Euros.’
Anna put two banknotes on the desk and took the ticket.
‘Just one more question before you enter’ said the receptionist ‘How would you like to visit our exhibition?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, there are two ways you can do it. You can either walk around the museum and watch the exhibition in a traditional way. Some of our visitors prefer to visit museums in such way and we respect that. But you can also choose a more unusual approach, a guided tour with one of our assistants, during which you will be allowed to closely interact with the exhibition and even touch some objects. Personally I would suggest the second option, as it will give you the best experience.’
‘I didn’t know you can touch exhibits in a museum’ replied Anna.
‘Here in Villa Bergamotte we are trying to find new ways to show art and make the visitors feel like they are part of the exhibition and are participating in it. So what it would be?’
‘I think I wouldn’t mind choosing the second option. It sounds interesting.’
‘Very well, last question, do you agree to be touched by our guide during the tour? It is the vital part of this year’s exhibition. And don’t worry’ said the receptionist seeing Anna’s confused stair ‘it’s nothing inappropriate.’
‘In that case I think I have no problem with it.’
‘Great, I will call a guide and you can go.’
The receptionist quickly went inside the nearby staff room and soon she returned, accompanied by a young girl.
‘I will now leave you in the capable hands of Camille. I hope you will enjoy your visit. I don’t think we will have any other visitor today, so you will have plenty of time.’
Camille was of a similar age to Anna. She was wearing navy-blue polo t-shirt with museum’s name on it, beige linen trousers and dark blue espadrilles. Her black hair were tied into an elegant bun. Anna thought that she looked friendly.
‘Hi, I’m Camille, nice to meet you’ said Camille with a friendly smile.
‘Hello, I’m Anna’ replied Anna and shook Camille’s hand.
‘Let’s go then’ said Camille and she lead Anna to a room filled with wooden shelves and benches. There was also a small basin in the corner.
‘Now, I will have to ask you to take of your shoes and leave them here. And also wash your feet in the basin. It is a rule we follow in our museum. And don’t worry, we really make sure to keep all the surfaces clean. I know it’s a bit unusual, but I will also be barefoot. You can also leave your bag and a hat here as well.”
‘I’ve read something about it in the brochure’ replied Anna and sat down to take off her sandals ‘But I’m curious, why do you require visitors to do it?’
‘The founder of the museum’ replied Camille, while removing her espadrilles’ believes that in this way you will feel like in home and watch the whole exhibition in an unusual way. And to be honest, there is some truth in in, it really changes your perspective. And besides, being barefoot would be perfect for this exhibition, you will see.’
‘The receptionist said something about it, she double checked if I don’t mind being touched. I hope you are not planning to beat me’ said Anna jokingly while she finished washing her feet and during them with a paper towel.
‘No, don’t worry, it won’t be that bad. I’ll better explain it when we start our visit. But it is the first time when I do a guided tour for just one person, so I will need to slightly improvise. But I hope I will manage. You’re ready?’
Anna nodded and both girls placed their shoes on the shelf and walked into the exhibition hall. Anna felt the cool floor under her feet. After the long walk in the summer heat, she found it quite pleasant.
The first room was small and it contained a mattress and a box filled with colourful feathers. There were also some paintings on the wall, showing people being tickled by feathers.
‘As you have no doubt seen on the poster’ said Camille, when they both stood the middle of the room ‘the exhibition is called LAUGHTER. And this exhibition explores one particular cause of lather – tickling. We mostly experience it when we are young, but once we become adults, we see it as childish. Tickling is often seen as playful and harmless, but can also have a darker side. And our museum tries to show this complex nature of tickling. So now I will ask to lie on the mattress and close your eyes.’
Anna did as Camille told and few seconds later she felt a slight stroke of feather on her right foot. She grinned.
‘Have you felt it?’ Anna heard Camille voice.
‘Yes, but it wasn’t too ticklish.’
‘Oh, don’t worry, we are just starting. Try to clear your head from any thoughts and concentrate on this experience.’
Soon the feather touched her other foot, armpit, neck and face. She also felt it moving on her belly, covered by a t-shirt. Anna let a small chuckle when Camille started moving it more intensively along her soles. Of course it wasn’t tickling too much, but she found it quite enjoyable. For a moment she has forgotten about her studies, holiday and even that she is in a museum. She felt really relaxed. This light tickling continued for some time, until Camille said:
‘Thank you, that’s enough. How do you feel?’
‘It was quite relaxing actually’ replied Anna and she stood up ‘I never thought it could be so relaxing.’
‘To tell you the truth, I was also shocked when they first showed me this exhibition while I was learning how to guide tours. Would you like to see the paintings before we proceed?’
‘Gladly’ replied Anna and she watched different depictions of people being tickled. Every picture had a different style, there was one imitating Ancient Egyptian’s hieroglyphs depicting Pharaoh’s wife being tickled by a feather, the other looked like a page from medieval book, showing a man in stocks, and there were some impressionist and more abstracts drawings as well. And few pages from comics.
‘They are all quite amusing, I like this medieval one a lot, someone really managed to make it look like a genuine medieval art. And I’m studding architecture and like gothic cathedral, so maybe that’s why I like it.’
‘And what do you think about this one?’ said Camille pointing at an abstract drawing made by a charcoal. It depicted two people, presumably in a tickle fight’.
‘Yes, it also really nice, I like the chaos it depicts. Who made it?’
‘I did it’ answered Camille, blushing a little.
‘Oh, so you are one of the artists that made this exhibition.’
‘No, unfortunately not. I’m only a student like you, and I am volunteering in this museum to gain some experience. But the owners of this place were so nice that they allowed me, and other members of staff, to make their own drawings and add them to the exhibition, you know, to support young artists.’
‘And you can also tickle people and watch them suffer’ joked Anna.
‘You are quite right, this job has many benefits’ answered Camille with a big smile ‘Now, shall we proceed?’
Anna smiled and followed Camille to a next room. They only knew each other for few minutes, but they both at the same age and had an ability to win people over with ease, so while they walked toward the next part of the exhibition, they were chatting about their universities as if they were close friends.
‘Now’ said Camille, this room explores the social aspect of tickling. Before I explain what this machine is for, there are several objects here. Try to use them to tickle yourself and see if any of them works’.
Anna did it, and as she expected, none of it produced any reaction.
‘Yeah, it’s impossible to tickle yourself.’
‘Now sit on this chair and put your feet right on this stool.’
Anna looked at an unusual chair. It had a rotating handle and some mechanism, with a brush attached to it. She sat down and put her foot on the stool, so she was nearly touching the brush.
‘Now, grab the handle and try to rotate it.’
Anna did as instructed and the brush started moving. But still, no tickling.
‘They explained me that apparently we can’t tickle ourselves, because our brain knows what we are going to do and we can’t surprise him. So tickling only works when it’s done by someone or something else’ explained Camille ‘But now let me show you something.’
She approached the mechanism and she changed the position of a small knob.
‘Try now.’
Anna moved a handle and to her surprised, she started laughing. She stopped and Camille explained.
‘I set the mechanism in such a way that it delays the movement of the brush and therefore tricks out brain a little. Now let me show you one more thing.
Camille gave Anna an unusual backpack, with few mechanical hands attached to it. It looked a bit like a spider. Anna put it on her back and her tour guide positioned the hands to touch Anna’s sides and belly.
‘Ok, let’s do it’ Camille pressed the button and mechanical hands started to tickle Anna. She started to laugh hard and struggled to stand as Camille watch it with a huge grin.
‘Ha, ha, ha… Ok, ok, please turn it off.’
The tickling stopped.
‘This backpack was made by Japanese artist named Matsuura Norio. The idea behind it was to show that tickling doesn’t need to be just between humans, but can be also done by machines. He wanted to show how in modern world machines are more and more often replacing humans’ Camille explained.
‘I hope that if the AI rebel, they won’t use it, because we will all be doomed.’
‘But at least we would die laughing’ replied Camille and put the backpack in a secure place ‘Now let’s go to a next attraction. You said you like medieval architecture? Then you should like our next exhibit’.
Both girls entered next room. Anna noticed it the walls were grey, imitating the stone wall. The interior was illuminated by few lamps shaped like torches. But Anna immediately looked at the object positioned in the middle of it. She noticed a furniture shaped like a chair. It had some stocks that restrained feet and some straps on the top rail. There was also an hourglass next to it.
‘So, we will now explore a darker side of ticking. It is rumoured that throughout the history tickling was used as a from of both torture and punishment. Italian activists and artist Lucina Verocco once suffered tickle torture during her visit in a renaissance festival, and this inspired her to create this room to show how the victims felt. So now I will ask you to sit in the stock and I will use this hourglass to measure time. And once I start, I won’t stop until all sand slips into lower part. Are you ready? Or is it a bit too much? After all remember, I’m not forcing you to do it’.
‘I’m not a coward and besides I am really curious how it would feel.’
Anna sat in the stocks and Camille quickly locked her feet and restrained her arms above her head. Finally she secured Anna’s leg with a belt. Anna tried to move and she noticed that the stocks were really good at restraining her movements.
‘Ok, ready?’
“Yes, do your worst’ replied Anna, trying to make it sound dramatic.
Camile rotated the hourglass and started to tickle Anna’s feet and poor girl immediately exploded with laugher.
‘Ha, ha, ha… it’s so intense… so cruel…’
‘I knew you would like it. And remember, this is torture so now I can’t stop’ said Camille, thoroughly exploring every inch of Anna’s soles with her fingers. She was mercilessly tickling her on her soles and between the toes, and Anna laughed even harder. It continued for one more minute and Camille stopped.
‘Now let’s see your sides and belly’ Camille poked and later tickled Anna, making her suffer even more. This also lasted for about one minute. Finally the tickling stopped.
‘If I had any dirty secret’ said Anna still chucking and panting ‘I would have surely revealed it to you. I never thought it would be so intense’.
‘And do you have any secrets?’
‘No, of course not.’
‘You’re sure’ asked Camille and proceed to tickled Anna’s feet.
‘Ha, ha, ha… Yes! Yes… I’m sure..’
Camille stopped and freed Anna from the stocks. She also gave her a cup of water.
‘And how was it?’
‘Torturous, but also strangely stimulating. But I’m so glad no one else is here, as it would be so embarrassing. I didn’t know I’m so ticklish. But be honest, you enjoyed torturing me, didn’t you.’
‘A bit’ said Camille ‘but I feel justified because I also suffered in those stocks.’
‘You did?’
‘Oh yes, all the members of staff went through it, after all, we had to know how to use all those objects while guiding tours and how it makes people feel. And I also thought I would die from laugher, and later from and embarrassment, when other girls tickled me.’
‘By the way, how do you do a tour if there are more people or if they don’t want to participate? They miss a lot.’
‘Frankly, we have just opened two weeks ago and we are still not sure. We only had two large tours so far, and we only tickled those who volunteered. But there is still a problem of visitors, who only want to watch it, but not participate. We were also thinking of perhaps filming it and use projector to show the film on the wall. But we are still discussing it, and we would need to clarify if before summer season starts.’
‘Maybe you can also have a staff member tickled just to show how it looks like, and it might encourage some other people to participate’ suggested Anna.
‘It’s not a bad idea, I will present it on the next staff meeting. But now let’s continue with our tour, we have to more rooms to visit. And if you are angry that I tickled you all that time, you will have a chance for a revenge.’
Both girls exited the gloomy “torture room” and entered into a larges one so far. It had something that looked like a boxing ring.
‘Here’ explained Camille ‘you can have tickle fight. Tickling might be used to dominate people but the tickling fight can be also a great way to build bounds. Now, the idea behind this is to give a space for our visitors to have a tickle fight with their friends or relatives. And I, or other tour guide, are referees. But since there are only two of us, when can have a tickle fight. Normally I wouldn’t do it with a visitor, but we are nearly like fiends, aren’t we?’
‘True, and besides I want to have my revenge’ answered Anna. They entered the ring and stood on the opposites corners.
‘Ready… Steady…Go!’ cried Camille and both girls slowly moved towards each other. For first few seconds they mimicked their attacks, trying to see how their opponent would react.
Anna finally decided to strike and tried to grab Camille and pin her to the floor. But it turned out to be a mistake. When Anna grabbed Camille’s arms, Camille used her hand to tickle Anna’s sides. Anna’s grip become weaker and Camille easily pined her to her floor and lied on her, still tickling her sides.
‘You didn’t think I will let you win so easily’ said Camille, digging her fingers deep into Anna’s sides and armpits. Anna tried to move but she was overwhelmed by Camille and she could only laugh. This continued until Camile shouted:
‘Five…Four…Three… Two… One… Stop. I won!’
She stopped tickling Anna and helped her to stand up.
‘You are really good at it’ said Anna.
‘Oh yes, I have tried it with other girls and I usually won. But not always. Do you want one more turn?’
‘Yes, let’s do it.’
‘Ok. Ready… Steady… Go!’
This time Anna was more concentrated and waited longer with her attack, hoping she would provoke Camille to attack first. And it happened, Camille unexpectedly pushed Anna and - while she was lying on the ground - tried to sit on her ankles and tickle her feet. But this time Anna was quick to react. She quickly crawled her legs and grabbed Camille’s sides from the back and started tickling her mercilessly. She started to laugh and struggled to free herself, but Anna managed to pin her to the ground. She then sat on her, restraining Camille’s arms with her legs, and reached back to tickle her feet. Camille started to laugh uncontrollably and didn’t even try to free herself anymore. Anna tickled her for several more second and finally stopped.
‘This time I won’ she said proudly.
‘I admit, you got me nice’ said Camille’ So we have a tie. Who wins the next round, wins the whole match.’
Both girl stood on the opposite sides of the ring for the third time and rushed into a fight. This time Anna and Camille struck at the same time and they both collapsed on the ground, tickling each other. They were both laughing, but none of them wanted to surrender. Anna tried to grab the feet, locked them in a strong grip and she started tickling them. But Camille managed to do the same and they both were tickling each other’s feet mercilessly. This continued for few seconds but finally Anna shouted:
‘I give up, you won!’
Camille stopped tickling and they both sat down next to each other.
‘That was fun’ said Camille ‘I hope I haven’t overdone it?’
‘No, I don’t remember when was the last time I had so much fun. Now I really feel jealous you have this job.’
Camilla looked at Anna, thinking about something, and she said:
‘Let’s see the last room and then I might have an offer for you.’
Anna and Camille stood down, exited the ring and went into a last room. It was quite large, and divided into several parts with long curtains. Camille moved away one of them, and behind it Anna saw a mattress with restrains on both ends.
‘So the last stop allows people to enjoy tickling and try everything they’ve learnt so far. You can test your resilience, your limits and find out what are your most ticklish spots, and do it in privacy.’
‘And are the visitors normally tickled by museum workers or by other visitors?’
‘Well, the idea was to allow couples, friends and families do it to each other. We are still not sure about individual visitors, who visit without company. We were thinking that perhaps the staff could do it, but as I said, there are still many things to discuss before the summer season. Anyway, you want to try this last part?’
‘Of course’ answered Anna and lied on a comfortable mattress. Camille restrained her ankles and wrists. Then she sat on her knees an asked:
‘So as I said, there is no script here and it is up to you what will happen. Perhaps you have some request?’
‘You know, I know I’m both ticklish on my feet and sides, but I wonder where I am more ticklish. SO try tickling both spots for the equal amount of time, let’s say one minute, and I will try to find out which is worse.’
‘As you wish’ answered Camille and set the timer on her phone. She set go and started tickling Anna’s sides. Anna started to laugh and move her belly, but obviously she couldn’t escape.
‘Ha, ha, ha… It’s so strange and so funny…’
Camille continued to run her fingers around Anna’s sides and belly until she heard the phone signalling that the time was up.
‘Ok, that was brutal, give me few seconds to rest and try my feet’ said Anna.
Camille waited for a short time, and then she at on Anna’s ankles. She set the timer for one minute, pressed start and began tickling the feet.
Anna exploded with laughter and was violently moving, but her feet couldn’t escape. Camille was tickling her relentlessly, not giving her any break. Anna tried to count seconds in her head, but she couldn’t. She could only laugh. Finally she heard the loud sound and Camille stopped. She untied Anna and asked:
‘So, which one was worse, feet of sides?’
‘I’m ticklish on both places, but I think me feet are way more ticklish.’
‘I imagine they must love you in pedicure salons’ said Camille.
‘You are right, I was always making a scene and now I am always going to the same salon, where they know me and know how I will react. So this is the end of the tour?’
‘Yes’ answered Camille.
Anna felt a bit sad. She was tired, but she really enjoyed all the tickling and Camille’s company and she would like it to continue. But she stood up and waited for Camille, who was still sitting on the edge of the mattress. Camille hesitated for a moment and said:
‘Look, would you mind doing me a small favor?’
‘Of course’ said Anna ‘What do you want.’
‘I was tickled here, but obviously no one was even going too far. But I actually wanted to see how a merciless tickling feels and how long can I last. Could you do it? It could be your revenge.’
‘With pleasure’ answered Anna, who was pleasantly surprised.
Camille felt a relief and lied on the mattress. Anna locked her ankles and writs and sat next to her.
‘Any last wish?’ asked Anna.
‘No, just please don’t kill me’ joked Camille, how was awaiting her tickling.
‘Fine, let’s go’.
She started with Camille’s armpits and the girl laughed. Then Anna moved to her belly and started tickling it thorough the shirt
‘If you want’ said Camille laughing ‘you can put your hands under my shirt.’
‘As you wish.’
Camille felt Anna’s fingers running on her belly and she nearly lost it. She heard Anna saying:
‘I remember one technique I learn from my ex-boyfriend. It’s call a blow. Can I demonstrate it?’
‘Ha, ha, ha… Why not?’
Anna sat on Camille, took a deep breath, lowered her head and slowly blew the air onto Camille’s neck, sending her into hysterics.
‘Ha, ha, ha… It’s so cruel! I’m glad my boyfriend doesn’t know it!’
‘Yes, mine ex always used it to win any argument with me’ replied Anna.
She did it one more time and moved to a lower part of Camille’s body. She tickled her under her knees and finally she sat on Camille’s feet.
‘Ready for a finale?’ asked Anna, and without waiting for a response, she tickled Camille’s bare feet.
‘Ha, ha, ha… feet are also my worst spot!’ laughed Camille. Anna tickled them for some more time and stopped. Then she tickled her new friend all over again, and enjoying her loud laugh. When she finished, she asked:
‘Satisfied?’
‘Very satisfied’ answered Camille.
Anna untied her and they both sat next to each other, panting and trying to catch a breath. They were both in a really good mood.
‘So, did you enjoy your tour?’ asked Camille.
‘I don’t remember when was the last time when I laughed so much. But I feel so relaxed, so cheerful.’
‘But before we go’ said Camille ‘I wanted to tell you about this offer I mentioned. What are your plans for this holiday?’
‘Well, I was planning to find some part-time job, not even to earn money, but rather to gain some experience. Why do you ask?’
‘Because Villa Bergamotte is still looking for more people to help run the museum during summer. They don’t pay too much, but they offer free accommodation and you would be allowed to attend some workshops, meet interesting people and gain a lot of experience.’
‘And what would I have to do? I must say I don’t have any experience working at the art gallery.’
‘Don’t worry about it, we will teach you everything and besides – as you have seen- this is not an ordinary museum. You will just need to make sure the exhibition is clean and well maintained, guide tours and assist the visitors.’
‘And tickle them?’ asked Anna with a huge smile.
‘And tickle them, but it is also possible you would have to volunteer to be tickled, to make the exhibition running.’
‘This sounds wonderful, and I would love to do it. When I could start.’
‘I will talk with my boss to let you know all the details, but I think in the middle of June till the end of September. So I understand you are interested.’
‘Yes, this might be really fun.’
‘Great, so now let’s go to the exit.’
Camille opened the door and soon both girls found themselves in the room where they left their shoes. They put them on and walked toward the main hall. A receptionist was still sitting behind the desk and when she saw them approaching, she said with a huge grin:
‘I see you both had a lot of fun.’
‘We did Mrs. Lémieux. And our guest enjoyed it so much, that she is interested in working here during the summer.’
‘I’m glad to hear it. Or bosses are currently on a trip, but when they return, I will inform them and one of them will contact you. Just leave me your phone number please.’
Anna wrote it on a piece of paper and gave it to Mrs. Lémieux. Before she left, she exchanged phone numbers with Camille and said:
‘Thank you for a wonderful tour and a great time. And see you again in July.’
They hugged and Anna soon left the building. She was a bit tried, but she thought she really enjoyed her short visit in Villa Bergamotte. She had been always a bit sceptical about modern art galleries, but not anymore. Anna walked toward the town, being really glad that she will soon return here for a whole summer.
THE EXHIBITION WORTH VISITING
Anna finished packing her small bag and - after quickly checking if she took everything - she closed it and was nearly ready to leave. She then put on her leather flat sandals and after strapping them, she stood in front of the mirror to check how she looked. Her outfit consisted of long white linen trousers and dark blue t-shirt. Anna thought it looked really decent and that this would be a perfect outfit for a warm weather that was forecasted for today. Finally, she tied her long brown hair with a hairband, grabbed a hat and a pair of sunglasses and she left her hotel room.
Anna was 23 years old and she was studding Architecture in Paris. Two weeks ago she managed to pass all her exams with flying colours and she decided she should go on some well-deserved holiday. After some searching, Anna finally picked a small mediterranean island called Sainte-Cecile, situated close to a southern French shore. And so far she was really satisfied with her choice. Sainte-Cecile was a beautiful and peaceful place. What’s more, she went there in late May, shortly before the summer holiday season, and Sainte-Cecile wasn’t crowded with tourists yet. So Anna could enjoy peace and quiet. During her first two days she walked around the charming town, tried some local cuisine and relaxed in hotel’s garden.
Today Anna decided to visit Villa Bergamotte. She never heard about his place before, but when she read a brochure advertising it in the hotel lobby, she found it really interesting. The note said that the villa was a museum of modern art, and the owners of this place were trying to find new ways to present exhibitions and engage their visitors. And every year they had a new exhibition. It was open from May till November and Anna thought that it might be fun to visit it and see what it is about.
Villa Begramotte was located on a small hill, some distance from the town where Anna was staying. But she really enjoyed this lengthy stroll - the views were breath-taking and the shadows casted by nearby trees and cool sea breeze made the hot temperature much more bearable. After twenty minutes of walking she finally reached the main gate. Behind it she saw the villa, a modernist white building perfectly blending into a nearby landscape. She also noticed a poster hanging on a wall, advertising this year’s new exhibition, simply titled: LAUGHTER. There were also drawing of feathers and laughing faces on the background.
‘At least I might have a bit of laugh. I wonder what those feathers mean. Tickling?’ thought Anna, as she crossed the gate.
She walked towards the main entrance, pushed a large glass door and entered the bright spacious hall. A middle-aged women was sitting behind the desk and was busy doing some paperwork. But when she noticed Anna, she smiled and put the documents aside.
‘Hello, welcome in Villa Bergamotte, what can I do for you?’
‘Good morning, I would like to buy one student ticket’ said Anna and showed the receptionist her student license.
‘Of course, just give me a second to print the ticket for you, that will be 15 Euros.’
Anna put two banknotes on the desk and took the ticket.
‘Just one more question before you enter’ said the receptionist ‘How would you like to visit our exhibition?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, there are two ways you can do it. You can either walk around the museum and watch the exhibition in a traditional way. Some of our visitors prefer to visit museums in such way and we respect that. But you can also choose a more unusual approach, a guided tour with one of our assistants, during which you will be allowed to closely interact with the exhibition and even touch some objects. Personally I would suggest the second option, as it will give you the best experience.’
‘I didn’t know you can touch exhibits in a museum’ replied Anna.
‘Here in Villa Bergamotte we are trying to find new ways to show art and make the visitors feel like they are part of the exhibition and are participating in it. So what it would be?’
‘I think I wouldn’t mind choosing the second option. It sounds interesting.’
‘Very well, last question, do you agree to be touched by our guide during the tour? It is the vital part of this year’s exhibition. And don’t worry’ said the receptionist seeing Anna’s confused stair ‘it’s nothing inappropriate.’
‘In that case I think I have no problem with it.’
‘Great, I will call a guide and you can go.’
The receptionist quickly went inside the nearby staff room and soon she returned, accompanied by a young girl.
‘I will now leave you in the capable hands of Camille. I hope you will enjoy your visit. I don’t think we will have any other visitor today, so you will have plenty of time.’
Camille was of a similar age to Anna. She was wearing navy-blue polo t-shirt with museum’s name on it, beige linen trousers and dark blue espadrilles. Her black hair were tied into an elegant bun. Anna thought that she looked friendly.
‘Hi, I’m Camille, nice to meet you’ said Camille with a friendly smile.
‘Hello, I’m Anna’ replied Anna and shook Camille’s hand.
‘Let’s go then’ said Camille and she lead Anna to a room filled with wooden shelves and benches. There was also a small basin in the corner.
‘Now, I will have to ask you to take of your shoes and leave them here. And also wash your feet in the basin. It is a rule we follow in our museum. And don’t worry, we really make sure to keep all the surfaces clean. I know it’s a bit unusual, but I will also be barefoot. You can also leave your bag and a hat here as well.”
‘I’ve read something about it in the brochure’ replied Anna and sat down to take off her sandals ‘But I’m curious, why do you require visitors to do it?’
‘The founder of the museum’ replied Camille, while removing her espadrilles’ believes that in this way you will feel like in home and watch the whole exhibition in an unusual way. And to be honest, there is some truth in in, it really changes your perspective. And besides, being barefoot would be perfect for this exhibition, you will see.’
‘The receptionist said something about it, she double checked if I don’t mind being touched. I hope you are not planning to beat me’ said Anna jokingly while she finished washing her feet and during them with a paper towel.
‘No, don’t worry, it won’t be that bad. I’ll better explain it when we start our visit. But it is the first time when I do a guided tour for just one person, so I will need to slightly improvise. But I hope I will manage. You’re ready?’
Anna nodded and both girls placed their shoes on the shelf and walked into the exhibition hall. Anna felt the cool floor under her feet. After the long walk in the summer heat, she found it quite pleasant.
The first room was small and it contained a mattress and a box filled with colourful feathers. There were also some paintings on the wall, showing people being tickled by feathers.
‘As you have no doubt seen on the poster’ said Camille, when they both stood the middle of the room ‘the exhibition is called LAUGHTER. And this exhibition explores one particular cause of lather – tickling. We mostly experience it when we are young, but once we become adults, we see it as childish. Tickling is often seen as playful and harmless, but can also have a darker side. And our museum tries to show this complex nature of tickling. So now I will ask to lie on the mattress and close your eyes.’
Anna did as Camille told and few seconds later she felt a slight stroke of feather on her right foot. She grinned.
‘Have you felt it?’ Anna heard Camille voice.
‘Yes, but it wasn’t too ticklish.’
‘Oh, don’t worry, we are just starting. Try to clear your head from any thoughts and concentrate on this experience.’
Soon the feather touched her other foot, armpit, neck and face. She also felt it moving on her belly, covered by a t-shirt. Anna let a small chuckle when Camille started moving it more intensively along her soles. Of course it wasn’t tickling too much, but she found it quite enjoyable. For a moment she has forgotten about her studies, holiday and even that she is in a museum. She felt really relaxed. This light tickling continued for some time, until Camille said:
‘Thank you, that’s enough. How do you feel?’
‘It was quite relaxing actually’ replied Anna and she stood up ‘I never thought it could be so relaxing.’
‘To tell you the truth, I was also shocked when they first showed me this exhibition while I was learning how to guide tours. Would you like to see the paintings before we proceed?’
‘Gladly’ replied Anna and she watched different depictions of people being tickled. Every picture had a different style, there was one imitating Ancient Egyptian’s hieroglyphs depicting Pharaoh’s wife being tickled by a feather, the other looked like a page from medieval book, showing a man in stocks, and there were some impressionist and more abstracts drawings as well. And few pages from comics.
‘They are all quite amusing, I like this medieval one a lot, someone really managed to make it look like a genuine medieval art. And I’m studding architecture and like gothic cathedral, so maybe that’s why I like it.’
‘And what do you think about this one?’ said Camille pointing at an abstract drawing made by a charcoal. It depicted two people, presumably in a tickle fight’.
‘Yes, it also really nice, I like the chaos it depicts. Who made it?’
‘I did it’ answered Camille, blushing a little.
‘Oh, so you are one of the artists that made this exhibition.’
‘No, unfortunately not. I’m only a student like you, and I am volunteering in this museum to gain some experience. But the owners of this place were so nice that they allowed me, and other members of staff, to make their own drawings and add them to the exhibition, you know, to support young artists.’
‘And you can also tickle people and watch them suffer’ joked Anna.
‘You are quite right, this job has many benefits’ answered Camille with a big smile ‘Now, shall we proceed?’
Anna smiled and followed Camille to a next room. They only knew each other for few minutes, but they both at the same age and had an ability to win people over with ease, so while they walked toward the next part of the exhibition, they were chatting about their universities as if they were close friends.
‘Now’ said Camille, this room explores the social aspect of tickling. Before I explain what this machine is for, there are several objects here. Try to use them to tickle yourself and see if any of them works’.
Anna did it, and as she expected, none of it produced any reaction.
‘Yeah, it’s impossible to tickle yourself.’
‘Now sit on this chair and put your feet right on this stool.’
Anna looked at an unusual chair. It had a rotating handle and some mechanism, with a brush attached to it. She sat down and put her foot on the stool, so she was nearly touching the brush.
‘Now, grab the handle and try to rotate it.’
Anna did as instructed and the brush started moving. But still, no tickling.
‘They explained me that apparently we can’t tickle ourselves, because our brain knows what we are going to do and we can’t surprise him. So tickling only works when it’s done by someone or something else’ explained Camille ‘But now let me show you something.’
She approached the mechanism and she changed the position of a small knob.
‘Try now.’
Anna moved a handle and to her surprised, she started laughing. She stopped and Camille explained.
‘I set the mechanism in such a way that it delays the movement of the brush and therefore tricks out brain a little. Now let me show you one more thing.
Camille gave Anna an unusual backpack, with few mechanical hands attached to it. It looked a bit like a spider. Anna put it on her back and her tour guide positioned the hands to touch Anna’s sides and belly.
‘Ok, let’s do it’ Camille pressed the button and mechanical hands started to tickle Anna. She started to laugh hard and struggled to stand as Camille watch it with a huge grin.
‘Ha, ha, ha… Ok, ok, please turn it off.’
The tickling stopped.
‘This backpack was made by Japanese artist named Matsuura Norio. The idea behind it was to show that tickling doesn’t need to be just between humans, but can be also done by machines. He wanted to show how in modern world machines are more and more often replacing humans’ Camille explained.
‘I hope that if the AI rebel, they won’t use it, because we will all be doomed.’
‘But at least we would die laughing’ replied Camille and put the backpack in a secure place ‘Now let’s go to a next attraction. You said you like medieval architecture? Then you should like our next exhibit’.
Both girls entered next room. Anna noticed it the walls were grey, imitating the stone wall. The interior was illuminated by few lamps shaped like torches. But Anna immediately looked at the object positioned in the middle of it. She noticed a furniture shaped like a chair. It had some stocks that restrained feet and some straps on the top rail. There was also an hourglass next to it.
‘So, we will now explore a darker side of ticking. It is rumoured that throughout the history tickling was used as a from of both torture and punishment. Italian activists and artist Lucina Verocco once suffered tickle torture during her visit in a renaissance festival, and this inspired her to create this room to show how the victims felt. So now I will ask you to sit in the stock and I will use this hourglass to measure time. And once I start, I won’t stop until all sand slips into lower part. Are you ready? Or is it a bit too much? After all remember, I’m not forcing you to do it’.
‘I’m not a coward and besides I am really curious how it would feel.’
Anna sat in the stocks and Camille quickly locked her feet and restrained her arms above her head. Finally she secured Anna’s leg with a belt. Anna tried to move and she noticed that the stocks were really good at restraining her movements.
‘Ok, ready?’
“Yes, do your worst’ replied Anna, trying to make it sound dramatic.
Camile rotated the hourglass and started to tickle Anna’s feet and poor girl immediately exploded with laugher.
‘Ha, ha, ha… it’s so intense… so cruel…’
‘I knew you would like it. And remember, this is torture so now I can’t stop’ said Camille, thoroughly exploring every inch of Anna’s soles with her fingers. She was mercilessly tickling her on her soles and between the toes, and Anna laughed even harder. It continued for one more minute and Camille stopped.
‘Now let’s see your sides and belly’ Camille poked and later tickled Anna, making her suffer even more. This also lasted for about one minute. Finally the tickling stopped.
‘If I had any dirty secret’ said Anna still chucking and panting ‘I would have surely revealed it to you. I never thought it would be so intense’.
‘And do you have any secrets?’
‘No, of course not.’
‘You’re sure’ asked Camille and proceed to tickled Anna’s feet.
‘Ha, ha, ha… Yes! Yes… I’m sure..’
Camille stopped and freed Anna from the stocks. She also gave her a cup of water.
‘And how was it?’
‘Torturous, but also strangely stimulating. But I’m so glad no one else is here, as it would be so embarrassing. I didn’t know I’m so ticklish. But be honest, you enjoyed torturing me, didn’t you.’
‘A bit’ said Camille ‘but I feel justified because I also suffered in those stocks.’
‘You did?’
‘Oh yes, all the members of staff went through it, after all, we had to know how to use all those objects while guiding tours and how it makes people feel. And I also thought I would die from laugher, and later from and embarrassment, when other girls tickled me.’
‘By the way, how do you do a tour if there are more people or if they don’t want to participate? They miss a lot.’
‘Frankly, we have just opened two weeks ago and we are still not sure. We only had two large tours so far, and we only tickled those who volunteered. But there is still a problem of visitors, who only want to watch it, but not participate. We were also thinking of perhaps filming it and use projector to show the film on the wall. But we are still discussing it, and we would need to clarify if before summer season starts.’
‘Maybe you can also have a staff member tickled just to show how it looks like, and it might encourage some other people to participate’ suggested Anna.
‘It’s not a bad idea, I will present it on the next staff meeting. But now let’s continue with our tour, we have to more rooms to visit. And if you are angry that I tickled you all that time, you will have a chance for a revenge.’
Both girls exited the gloomy “torture room” and entered into a larges one so far. It had something that looked like a boxing ring.
‘Here’ explained Camille ‘you can have tickle fight. Tickling might be used to dominate people but the tickling fight can be also a great way to build bounds. Now, the idea behind this is to give a space for our visitors to have a tickle fight with their friends or relatives. And I, or other tour guide, are referees. But since there are only two of us, when can have a tickle fight. Normally I wouldn’t do it with a visitor, but we are nearly like fiends, aren’t we?’
‘True, and besides I want to have my revenge’ answered Anna. They entered the ring and stood on the opposites corners.
‘Ready… Steady…Go!’ cried Camille and both girls slowly moved towards each other. For first few seconds they mimicked their attacks, trying to see how their opponent would react.
Anna finally decided to strike and tried to grab Camille and pin her to the floor. But it turned out to be a mistake. When Anna grabbed Camille’s arms, Camille used her hand to tickle Anna’s sides. Anna’s grip become weaker and Camille easily pined her to her floor and lied on her, still tickling her sides.
‘You didn’t think I will let you win so easily’ said Camille, digging her fingers deep into Anna’s sides and armpits. Anna tried to move but she was overwhelmed by Camille and she could only laugh. This continued until Camile shouted:
‘Five…Four…Three… Two… One… Stop. I won!’
She stopped tickling Anna and helped her to stand up.
‘You are really good at it’ said Anna.
‘Oh yes, I have tried it with other girls and I usually won. But not always. Do you want one more turn?’
‘Yes, let’s do it.’
‘Ok. Ready… Steady… Go!’
This time Anna was more concentrated and waited longer with her attack, hoping she would provoke Camille to attack first. And it happened, Camille unexpectedly pushed Anna and - while she was lying on the ground - tried to sit on her ankles and tickle her feet. But this time Anna was quick to react. She quickly crawled her legs and grabbed Camille’s sides from the back and started tickling her mercilessly. She started to laugh and struggled to free herself, but Anna managed to pin her to the ground. She then sat on her, restraining Camille’s arms with her legs, and reached back to tickle her feet. Camille started to laugh uncontrollably and didn’t even try to free herself anymore. Anna tickled her for several more second and finally stopped.
‘This time I won’ she said proudly.
‘I admit, you got me nice’ said Camille’ So we have a tie. Who wins the next round, wins the whole match.’
Both girl stood on the opposite sides of the ring for the third time and rushed into a fight. This time Anna and Camille struck at the same time and they both collapsed on the ground, tickling each other. They were both laughing, but none of them wanted to surrender. Anna tried to grab the feet, locked them in a strong grip and she started tickling them. But Camille managed to do the same and they both were tickling each other’s feet mercilessly. This continued for few seconds but finally Anna shouted:
‘I give up, you won!’
Camille stopped tickling and they both sat down next to each other.
‘That was fun’ said Camille ‘I hope I haven’t overdone it?’
‘No, I don’t remember when was the last time I had so much fun. Now I really feel jealous you have this job.’
Camilla looked at Anna, thinking about something, and she said:
‘Let’s see the last room and then I might have an offer for you.’
Anna and Camille stood down, exited the ring and went into a last room. It was quite large, and divided into several parts with long curtains. Camille moved away one of them, and behind it Anna saw a mattress with restrains on both ends.
‘So the last stop allows people to enjoy tickling and try everything they’ve learnt so far. You can test your resilience, your limits and find out what are your most ticklish spots, and do it in privacy.’
‘And are the visitors normally tickled by museum workers or by other visitors?’
‘Well, the idea was to allow couples, friends and families do it to each other. We are still not sure about individual visitors, who visit without company. We were thinking that perhaps the staff could do it, but as I said, there are still many things to discuss before the summer season. Anyway, you want to try this last part?’
‘Of course’ answered Anna and lied on a comfortable mattress. Camille restrained her ankles and wrists. Then she sat on her knees an asked:
‘So as I said, there is no script here and it is up to you what will happen. Perhaps you have some request?’
‘You know, I know I’m both ticklish on my feet and sides, but I wonder where I am more ticklish. SO try tickling both spots for the equal amount of time, let’s say one minute, and I will try to find out which is worse.’
‘As you wish’ answered Camille and set the timer on her phone. She set go and started tickling Anna’s sides. Anna started to laugh and move her belly, but obviously she couldn’t escape.
‘Ha, ha, ha… It’s so strange and so funny…’
Camille continued to run her fingers around Anna’s sides and belly until she heard the phone signalling that the time was up.
‘Ok, that was brutal, give me few seconds to rest and try my feet’ said Anna.
Camille waited for a short time, and then she at on Anna’s ankles. She set the timer for one minute, pressed start and began tickling the feet.
Anna exploded with laughter and was violently moving, but her feet couldn’t escape. Camille was tickling her relentlessly, not giving her any break. Anna tried to count seconds in her head, but she couldn’t. She could only laugh. Finally she heard the loud sound and Camille stopped. She untied Anna and asked:
‘So, which one was worse, feet of sides?’
‘I’m ticklish on both places, but I think me feet are way more ticklish.’
‘I imagine they must love you in pedicure salons’ said Camille.
‘You are right, I was always making a scene and now I am always going to the same salon, where they know me and know how I will react. So this is the end of the tour?’
‘Yes’ answered Camille.
Anna felt a bit sad. She was tired, but she really enjoyed all the tickling and Camille’s company and she would like it to continue. But she stood up and waited for Camille, who was still sitting on the edge of the mattress. Camille hesitated for a moment and said:
‘Look, would you mind doing me a small favor?’
‘Of course’ said Anna ‘What do you want.’
‘I was tickled here, but obviously no one was even going too far. But I actually wanted to see how a merciless tickling feels and how long can I last. Could you do it? It could be your revenge.’
‘With pleasure’ answered Anna, who was pleasantly surprised.
Camille felt a relief and lied on the mattress. Anna locked her ankles and writs and sat next to her.
‘Any last wish?’ asked Anna.
‘No, just please don’t kill me’ joked Camille, how was awaiting her tickling.
‘Fine, let’s go’.
She started with Camille’s armpits and the girl laughed. Then Anna moved to her belly and started tickling it thorough the shirt
‘If you want’ said Camille laughing ‘you can put your hands under my shirt.’
‘As you wish.’
Camille felt Anna’s fingers running on her belly and she nearly lost it. She heard Anna saying:
‘I remember one technique I learn from my ex-boyfriend. It’s call a blow. Can I demonstrate it?’
‘Ha, ha, ha… Why not?’
Anna sat on Camille, took a deep breath, lowered her head and slowly blew the air onto Camille’s neck, sending her into hysterics.
‘Ha, ha, ha… It’s so cruel! I’m glad my boyfriend doesn’t know it!’
‘Yes, mine ex always used it to win any argument with me’ replied Anna.
She did it one more time and moved to a lower part of Camille’s body. She tickled her under her knees and finally she sat on Camille’s feet.
‘Ready for a finale?’ asked Anna, and without waiting for a response, she tickled Camille’s bare feet.
‘Ha, ha, ha… feet are also my worst spot!’ laughed Camille. Anna tickled them for some more time and stopped. Then she tickled her new friend all over again, and enjoying her loud laugh. When she finished, she asked:
‘Satisfied?’
‘Very satisfied’ answered Camille.
Anna untied her and they both sat next to each other, panting and trying to catch a breath. They were both in a really good mood.
‘So, did you enjoy your tour?’ asked Camille.
‘I don’t remember when was the last time when I laughed so much. But I feel so relaxed, so cheerful.’
‘But before we go’ said Camille ‘I wanted to tell you about this offer I mentioned. What are your plans for this holiday?’
‘Well, I was planning to find some part-time job, not even to earn money, but rather to gain some experience. Why do you ask?’
‘Because Villa Bergamotte is still looking for more people to help run the museum during summer. They don’t pay too much, but they offer free accommodation and you would be allowed to attend some workshops, meet interesting people and gain a lot of experience.’
‘And what would I have to do? I must say I don’t have any experience working at the art gallery.’
‘Don’t worry about it, we will teach you everything and besides – as you have seen- this is not an ordinary museum. You will just need to make sure the exhibition is clean and well maintained, guide tours and assist the visitors.’
‘And tickle them?’ asked Anna with a huge smile.
‘And tickle them, but it is also possible you would have to volunteer to be tickled, to make the exhibition running.’
‘This sounds wonderful, and I would love to do it. When I could start.’
‘I will talk with my boss to let you know all the details, but I think in the middle of June till the end of September. So I understand you are interested.’
‘Yes, this might be really fun.’
‘Great, so now let’s go to the exit.’
Camille opened the door and soon both girls found themselves in the room where they left their shoes. They put them on and walked toward the main hall. A receptionist was still sitting behind the desk and when she saw them approaching, she said with a huge grin:
‘I see you both had a lot of fun.’
‘We did Mrs. Lémieux. And our guest enjoyed it so much, that she is interested in working here during the summer.’
‘I’m glad to hear it. Or bosses are currently on a trip, but when they return, I will inform them and one of them will contact you. Just leave me your phone number please.’
Anna wrote it on a piece of paper and gave it to Mrs. Lémieux. Before she left, she exchanged phone numbers with Camille and said:
‘Thank you for a wonderful tour and a great time. And see you again in July.’
They hugged and Anna soon left the building. She was a bit tried, but she thought she really enjoyed her short visit in Villa Bergamotte. She had been always a bit sceptical about modern art galleries, but not anymore. Anna walked toward the town, being really glad that she will soon return here for a whole summer.
