In the heart of Brussels, an abandoned yet not entirely forgotten building has been repurposed by Espace Aygo, a collective of artists and designers who have transformed it into Asifose, an experimental hub dedicated to creativity. Asifose is a constantly evolving space, designed from the outset as a dynamic environment shaped by the needs of those who inhabit it. The soul of the place is steeped in its history: two life-size boats remain an integral part of the structure, while murals and a striking wooden ramp reinforce its unique identity. The ground floor houses a material bank and a woodworking workshop, while the upper floors serve as studios for resident artists.
To inaugurate the new space, the collective curated Peeping Through, an immersive exhibition featuring over 30 artists and designers, open to the public until April 25. The exhibition unfolds through a series of spaces inspired by imaginary characters: The Mum, The Person Who Seems to Live in the Carpet Room, and The Surgeon. Each artist was assigned a character profile with the goal of creating an object that could, in some way, evoke them. “Every object tells a silent story, revealing traces of its owner’s presence,” explain the curators as they describe the exhibition journey.
The experience begins with The Mum, a room with a folk-inspired aesthetic, where wood and hand-painted decorations recreate a warm, domestic atmosphere. Next, The Person Who Seems to Live in the Carpet Room offers a stark contrast: the minimalist, almost bare space is softened by a handmade carpet and a selection of ceramics. Finally, The Surgeon plunges visitors into a decidedly more unsettling dimension, featuring a multi-legged surgeon’s chair and a sink carved with teeth.
«The aim of the exhibition is to explore the evocative potential of art and design, which can act as vessels of memory, desires, and impressions,» the curators add. Peeping Through is more than just an exhibition to be observed—it invites visitors to immerse themselves in the spaces, capturing their nuances in a delicate balance between the tangible and the intangible.
