I Sought My Soul

Ketuta Alexi-Meskhishvili, Jean-Marie Appriou, Ivana Bašić, Petra Cortright, Kianí Del Valle, Isa Genzken, Marguerite Humeau, Anne Imhof, Mire Lee, Jill Mulleady, Wynnie Mynerva, Ariana Papademetropoulos, David Rappeneau, Rachel Rossin, Jacolby Satterwhite, Orfeo Tagiuri, Qualeasha Wood, Lu Yang

"I sought my God and my God I couldn't find; I sought my soul and my soul eluded me; I sought to serve my brother in his need, and I found all three; My God, my soul, and thee."

—Attributed to William Blake

Taking its title from William Blake, I Sought My Soul considers a contemporary romanticism, a new sublime in the world. Due to impending threats from war, climate change, disease, new technologies, identity politics, and unregulated markets, the 2020s have been an era of political, economic, and social turmoil. In a world increasingly shaped by new technologies and Artificial Intelligence, the question of identity and the self is fundamentally being redefined. This has resulted in a longing for otherworldly and collective guidance. Mysticism, spirituality, new religions, and the feminine divine have become societally accepted means of answering existential questions.

I Sought My Soul explores the phenomenon of new autonomy within a utopian vision of unity. Drawing inspiration from a Blakean quote, the exhibition at the church St. Elisabeth in Berlin centers on commonality and mutual assistance, which lie at the heart of soulful creation. With an optimistic view towards the future, the exhibition highlights a sense of fluidity amongst humanity, technology, artistic genres, and personal orientations. In challenging existing oppressive structures, the show emphasizes an open emotional framework.

As an example, Anne Imhof's delicate drawings convey a palpable emotional distance, embodying a profound existential longing—for connection, freedom, and release from societal constraints. Furthermore, the works within the exhibition engage with the future in a progressive and transformative manner. Here, Lu Yang's self-transforming avatar traverses various reincarnation stages within a utopia constructed by Artificial Intelligence, redefining spirituality in the context of AI. Rather than adhering to rigid dogmas of politics and religion, the artists in I Sought My Soul create new, personal worlds guided by open forms of belief and fluid ways of life. This is exemplified in the work of Jacolby Satterwhite, whose videos challenge traditional boundaries of identity and expression.

Simultaneously, the exhibition delves into themes of nature and the divine feminine principle, where a softness of form pervades. Ketuta Alexi-Meskhishvili's work, influenced by her Georgian heritage and experiences of motherhood, conveys subtle emotional depth through prints and large, flowing drapes. In contrast, Serbian artist Ivana Bašić's timeless sculptures explore the fragility and transformation of the physical form, creating a unique interplay between the otherworldly and the mortal.

The venue for this exhibition is St. Elisabeth Kirche in Berlin Mitte—a historic and monumental landmark built by architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel in 1835 that fosters artistic exploration and dialogue between culture and spirituality. The church was largely destroyed during World War II and remained a ruin until the mid-nineties, with a forest growing within its walls. What remains of that period is a breathtaking skylight, allowing natural light to pour into the space and further enrich the atmosphere of the exhibition. Its expansive hall provides an open setting for multimedia works by some of the most significant contemporary artists of today.

This exhibition is made possible with support from Kultur Büro Elisabeth.

Tyger Tyger is a newly established curatorial organization founded by Anneli Botz and Tiffany Zabludowicz. I Sought My Soul is Tyger Tyger's inaugural exhibition. Rooted in the belief that art has the power to inspire change, this ambitious debut underscores the duo's core principles of unity, joy, and optimism.

Anneli Botz is an art historian, curator, writer, and dealer. She was formerly the director of Berlin's König Galerie and is a contributor to Kunstforum International, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, 032c, and Frieze amongst other publications. Holding an MA in Art History and Philosophy from the University of Heidelberg, her curatorial practice explores contemporary Zeitgeist through video, performance, painting, and installation.

Tiffany Zabludowicz has curated projects at Leila Heller Gallery (New York), Andreas Siegfried Gallery (London), and the Zabludowicz Collection (London). She founded Times Square Space, a rotating residency and exhibition program in New York, and focuses on digital art, installation, and performance. Zabludowicz holds an MA in History of Art from the Courtauld Institute and serves on committees for Brown University, the Guggenheim Museum, and the New Museum.