Individual spirituality is a widespread phenomenon today. Over time, religiosity ceases to determine how an individual thinks and acts, changing its influence on society. Likewise, the places where we encounter religiosity are changing. In contemporary art, themes of new mythology, spiritualism and ritual are coming to the fore. Irina Birger's project called I-Sanctuary offers a spiritual experience in the space of the Kabinet T. gallery. Birger, as a priestess, shows the direction to go and the path she herself has walked.

I-Sanctuary refers to both the name Irina and the pronoun "I" ("I"). It is a space for the artist and the viewer who is invited to interact, which they may or may not agree to. Her works deal with the theme of connectivity in the broadest sense. Individuality takes centre stage.  Just as Apple products are called Iphone, Ipad, IMac, Irina's space is personal ("ego temple"), designed for the person, not the crowd.  In her drawings, Irina Birger speaks with simple slogans or words that are directed directly at the viewer ("You Are Here", Look Inside and Smile", "Let it go"). She opens up her own interpretation of the space ("My Own Ritual Club") or presents a feeling she has experienced or wants to evoke herself ("Lonely", "Lightness", "Mind body"). The viewer's movement is defined by the red carpet that defines the gallery space. The installation of small drawings with text together with monumental black drawings makes even a cursory inspection demand some time. Irina Birger's installation within the I-Sanctuary project is concluded by the animation Practice of Silence, which evokes meditative and slightly psychedelic sensations.

Irina Birger has been dealing with the connection between performance and ceremonial ritual or ceremony for several times now. The first such example was the project "Betweeen Grey&Gold" at the Meetfactory in Prague, where she conceived the exhibition as an interactive event in which she established contact with the gallery visitors, while presenting a diary of her own drawings, which she devotes herself to every day. The sacredly conceived space is one of the possible expressions of a celebrating community; this space also greatly influences and shapes it. Through rituals we have the opportunity to live an experience that carries with it the potential for change.

Irina Birger is a visual artist based in the Netherlands, originally from Moscow. She graduated from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem, and subsequently studied at the Sandberg Institute in Amsterdam. One of her most distinctive expressions is drawing, which she has practiced almost daily since childhood. By analyzing drawing as a medium, Birger explores the world, the universe, the cosmos. Alongside this, she also explores other media - installation, animation and experimental video. Irina Birger has lived and worked in many countries, such as China, Israel, Germany, Russia, New Zealand, Switzerland and the UK. Irina Birger is a sensitive observer of individuals who stand out from the pack.