Daan Couzijn (NL) is an interdisciplinary, conceptual artist currently based in Amsterdam and Paris. After having been trained as a vocalist at the Conservatory of Music (Codarts) in Rotterdam, he continued his studies at the Maastricht-based Institute of Performative Arts (Toneelacademie Maastricht), where he graduated with a BA degree in Performance Art. Concluding his education, Couzijn graduated in June 2019 from the postgraduate program of the Gerrit Rietveld Academy (Sandberg Institute) in Amsterdam, where he received an MA degree in Fine Art and Design.
Central to Couzijn's artistic practice is a persistent desire for — and simultaneous questioning of — authenticity. His work oscillates between the romantic notion that artists should pursue authenticity and the postmodern understanding that all ideas are inherently derivative, echoing pre-existing simulacra. Rather than regarding the artwork as as an end point, Couzijn approaches it as a temporary node within an ever-expanding network of contributions. By frequently incorporating found objects, materials and images into his work — and by recontextualising traditional forms and techniques within contemporary frameworks — he constructs visual narratives that probe the instability of authenticity, the mechanics of cultural memory, and the endless reproduction of iconographies in an image-saturated world.
Additionally, Couzijn performs and produces music under the pseudonym of Cousin. His electronic sounds dip into minimalistic trip-hop styles balanced out by catchy pop melodies, experimental key changes and a playful use of his background as a trained vocalist. With his music, he has supported artists like Bea1991, Lauren Auder and Le1f and performed live at Musée du Louvre in Paris and Haus Der Kulturen Der Welt in Berlin, in the framework of the Rencontres Internationales Paris/Berlin festival.
Couzijn is currently represented by PLUS-ONE Projects in Antwerp. His practice was recognised by the Mondriaan Fund in 2021 when he received the Artist Start grant.
Central to Couzijn's artistic practice is a persistent desire for — and simultaneous questioning of — authenticity. His work oscillates between the romantic notion that artists should pursue authenticity and the postmodern understanding that all ideas are inherently derivative, echoing pre-existing simulacra. Rather than regarding the artwork as as an end point, Couzijn approaches it as a temporary node within an ever-expanding network of contributions. By frequently incorporating found objects, materials and images into his work — and by recontextualising traditional forms and techniques within contemporary frameworks — he constructs visual narratives that probe the instability of authenticity, the mechanics of cultural memory, and the endless reproduction of iconographies in an image-saturated world.
Additionally, Couzijn performs and produces music under the pseudonym of Cousin. His electronic sounds dip into minimalistic trip-hop styles balanced out by catchy pop melodies, experimental key changes and a playful use of his background as a trained vocalist. With his music, he has supported artists like Bea1991, Lauren Auder and Le1f and performed live at Musée du Louvre in Paris and Haus Der Kulturen Der Welt in Berlin, in the framework of the Rencontres Internationales Paris/Berlin festival.
Couzijn is currently represented by PLUS-ONE Projects in Antwerp. His practice was recognised by the Mondriaan Fund in 2021 when he received the Artist Start grant.