COZIC

COZIC

Les sept continents

A subtle, transformative gesture uniting landscape, colour, and shared humanity.

Description of the exhibition

Vêtir ceux qui sont nus [Dressing those that are naked] (1972–73) was a series of public interventions created by COZIC in a variety of urban and rural areas. Intended to bring care and attention to the surrounding natural environment, the works characterized the duo’s approach to artmaking by blurring the boundaries between art and real life. These installations also anthropomorphized trees, temporarily transforming them into beings imbued with a magic worth defending.

COZIC revisits this body of work with Les sept continents [The Seven Continents], building on a legacy of eco-conscious kinetic sculptural creation, investing the landscape with subtle yet transformative performative actions. Drawing on the French fairytale Le petit poucet (Hop-o’-My-Thumb) (1697) by Charles Perrault, the work treats seven trees at the Domaine de Maizerets like the seven lost children in the story, combining them with the notion of continents to speak of uniting people across the globe despite their differences. According to COZIC, the diversity of colours in the ribbons is a sign of strength, richness, and festivity.

Artist Biography

Monic Brassard

(Monic Brassard, born in Nicolet, Québec, Canada – Lives in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Rochelle, Québec, Canada)
(Yvon Cozic, born in Beyris, France – Died in 2025 in XXX, Québec, Canada)

Comprised of Monic Brassard and Yvon Cozic, COZIC is an artist-duo whose work is imbued with a sense of poetry and playfulness. Their use of everyday materials helped democratize and break down barriers between visual art practices in Québec. COZIC won the Paul-Émile-Borduas Prize (2015) and the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts (2019). A retrospective of their work was held at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec in 2019–2020.

Practical Information

Domaine de Maizerets – public Art

• Access: Public park, open daily
• Transit: RTC 3, 802 (Maizerets / François-1er stops)
• Parking: Free and paid areas within the park
• Accessibility: Outdoor terrain; conditions vary in winter

Tribute to Yvon Cozic (1942–2025)

We honour the memory of Yvon Cozic, whose groundbreaking contribution to contemporary art in Québec continues to resonate across generations. As co-founder of COZIC, he shaped a practice rooted in poetry, humour, material experimentation, and a deep respect for everyday life. Since his passing in 2025, heartfelt tributes from institutions such as the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, the Cinémathèque québécoise, and Chiguer Art Contemporain have testified to the profound impact of his work and spirit. His legacy endures in the duo’s playful interventions, their transformative use of ordinary materials, and their belief that art opens us to the world. Our thoughts go to Monic Brassard, their loved ones, and the artistic community touched by their lifelong collaboration.