About

The 7-meter-high sculpture Rat Virgin has its point of departure in Henrik Ibsen's play "Little Eyolf". It is located on Bakkestranda in Skien, one of the most popular outdoor areas in Skien. 

The Rat Virgin is a lady who visits the homes and predicts whether it´s something that nags and gnaws at them. It´s the rats she is looking for, but between the lines we realize that Ibsen asks if there is something that nags and gnaws between people.

The sculpture is made by the artist Marit Benthe Norheim and 2349 pupils from Skien's schools have adorned the sculpture with their own porcelain eye, which is molded into the 7 meter high sculpture. In addition to being a work of art, the sculpture is a playground, and inside it has a slide that´s very popular with the youngest children.