Daan Russcher (1995) works through a form of reverse architecture, moving between the roles of artist and architect. He photographs existing structures, makes cut-outs, and reshapes them like a sculptor into new spatial forms. The result is a body of work that blends installation, photography and sculpture. Rooted in architecture, but freed from its logic of function and purpose.
While architecture often aims for perfection, control, and refinement, he focuses on the places where this image cracks: the edges of the city, infrastructural zones, underpasses - spaces designed to function, rarely valued for their design.
Russcher reveals how the city, often perceived as a carefully constructed backdrop, starts to unravel in its overlooked edges. He exposes the façade of the planned city and shows that beauty can exist in the unfinished, the failed, the imperfection. Through his work, he aims to create a tribute to these forgotten areas and reveal their
often-overlooked beauty.
Education
2019 Internship with Jan Kempenaers in Antwerp
2016 - 2020 Photography, Bachelor of Design, HKU University of the Arts
2012 - 2016 Bachelor of Built Environment, HU University of Applied Sciences
Exhibitions
2025 PADA 49 Exhibition, PADA Studios, Barreiro, PT
2024 The verge, a vessel, the veil (Part II), WILLIE, Zaandam, NL
2024 The verge, a vessel, the veil (Part I), Broedplaats Heining, Amsterdam, NL
2023 Destination Unknown, Roermond, NL
2023 Projectspace Lokaal, Utrecht, NL (solo)
2023 De Bouwput, Amsterdam, NL (solo)
2023 Things That Take Time, TORCH Gallery, Amsterdam, NL
2022 The National Photography Congress of Istanbul, Istanbul, TR
2022 Connection, Galerie Bart, Amsterdam, NL
2022 Kloof United, Kunsthal Kloof, Utrecht, NL
2022 Setting the Stage: Photography as Object and Prop, Lusuolo Castle, IT
2022 Filmtheater Kriterion, Amsterdam, NL (solo)
2022 Next stop - chop shop, Kunsthal Kloof, Utrecht, NL
2021 De Belofte 16, Kunstliefde, Utrecht, NL
2021 Keep an Eye Award Show, FOTODOK, Utrecht, NL
2021 UNSEEN Book Market, Amsterdam, NL
2021 Seeing the Unseen, Galerie Pouloeuff, Naarden, NL
2021 Becoming Moveable Statues, city centre of Utrecht, NL
2021 Remnants of a Moment, Kunstliefde, Utrecht, NL
2020 Parallax Views, AG, Utrecht, NL
2020 HKU Photography Graduation Show, FOTODOK, Utrecht, NL
2019 Het kan niet altijd feest zijn, Café Boothill, Utrecht, NL
2019 The sponge, the clay, the brick, the bridge, UNSEEN, Amsterdam, NL
Residencies / Development
2025 Residency at PADA Studios
2024 Power Up programme by Mondriaan Fonds
2023 Residency at Destination Unknown 2023
2023 Residency at AGA LAB
2022 Workshop Setting the Stage: Photography as Object and Prop
2020 FOTODOK Lighthouse: Talent Program
Artist Books
2021 Material Evidence of what does not Exist
Prizes / Grants
2024 Mondriaan Fonds:
Artist Start
2022 Pictoright Steunfonds
2021 Fonds Kwadraat
2020 Keep an Eye Photography Stipendium
Commissioned work
2023 Series of images for Stadscuratorium Amsterdam
2022 De Correspondent: Zo worden de huizen van de toekomst waterproof
Publications / Press
2025 Interview with Katharina Siegel on Sprout Publish
2023 Podcast “DU-Podcast” by Destination Unknown
2023 Podcast “Rise above the Void” by Galerie Bart
2022 MAGjeZIENenHOREN #5!
2021 Lighthouse the podcast: Daan Russcher & David Hamers
2021 Interview with Steve Bisson on Urbanautica
2021 Self-image: Personal stories during Moveable Statues at Domplein
2020 Blurring the Lines catalog, published by Urbanautica Institute
Artist Talks / Lectures / Other
2024 Guest lecture at Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht
2023 Guest lecture at Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht
2023 Mentor project ErfGoed in Beeld for Omgevingseducatie Gooi, Vecht- en Eemstreek
2022 Guest lecture at Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht
2022 Mentor project ErfGoed in Beeld for Omgevingseducatie
Gooi, Vecht- en Eemstreek
2021 Moderator at online conference Blurring the Lines 2021
2021 Artist talk at Photography Lunch Talks, Paris College of Art