The exhibition by Artist Cooperative TOOLBOX at the K41 nordiKey space in Brussels brings together works that examine reality from multiple perspectives and through a variety of techniques. In this exhibition, the role of art is not to reflect the world as it is, but to disrupt our established ways of understanding, structuring, and interpreting it.The works on view move along the boundaries of perception, experience, and meaning. The exhibition juxtaposes diverse materials, processes, and modes of expression, opening up space for multiplicity, ambiguity, and a sense of incompleteness.

TOOLBOX’s community-oriented and international way of working is reflected in the exhibition as a dialogue between the artworks. Individual perspectives intersect and overlap, forming a whole in which the viewer is not a passive observer but an active constructor of meaning. Artist Cooperative TOOLBOX is an artist-run cooperative founded in 2012, jointly managed by Finnish and German artists. It operates in Berlin, Germany, and in Finland, organizing exhibitions and exhibition exchanges. The most recent major exhibitions in Finland took place at the Helsinki Artists’ Association’s Haagalleria and Yö Galleria in the summer of 2024. The cooperative’s activities are based on interdisciplinary artistic collaboration and provide a platform for various forms of cultural exchange as well as for the creation and presentation of art.

At the core of TOOLBOX’s activities is its gallery space located in the Wedding district of Berlin. The gallery is part of the Kolonie Wedding artist community, which comprises 24 art spaces. The gallery regularly hosts exhibitions, performances, workshops, and seminars, where both cooperative members and external artists present their work. The exhibition program is international and emphasizes artistic dialogue between different cultural backgrounds and art forms.

The members of the cooperative come from various fields of visual art, and TOOLBOX aims to promote collaboration between Finnish and German artists and the development of new forms of expression, while also creating space for artistic experimentation and dialogue. TOOLBOX is known for its open and community-oriented mode of operation, in which artists can share their knowledge and resources. The cooperative functions as a link between Finnish artists and the international art scene, promoting the visibility of Finnish contemporary art especially in Berlin. In summary, TOOLBOX is a diverse and international art community that supports artists’ networking and creates space for creative interaction.