About the artwork
In this striking work entitled Inconspicuous, the duo Icy & Sot hijack one of the most universal symbols of capitalism: the American one-dollar bill. At first glance, the viewer recognizes the familiar icon of George Washington, but closer inspection reveals a subtle and disturbing transformation. The bill, crumpled, darkened and partially erased, seems marked by the trace of an invisible weapon, as if the economic violence it embodies were literally inscribed in it. Through this minimal but meaningful gesture, the artists expose the tension between material value and dehumanization: money, far from being neutral, becomes the reflection of a system where power is exercised through circulation, domination and injustice.
Created with the precision of a photographic trompe-l'œil, the work plays on the ambiguity between reality and illusion. The image of the banknote, a world-renowned symbol of stability and authority, is here altered, almost wounded, as if bearing the scars of the imbalances it produces. Inconspicuous, literally "unnoticed", denounces what contemporary society often chooses to ignore: the violence hidden behind the market economy and the cult of consumerism.
Expert opinion
Inconspicuous brilliantly illustrates Icy & Sot's critical approach, combining political engagement, conceptual rigor and the aesthetics of subtlety. Through the image of a simple banknote, the artists condense a complex reflection on value, power and the silent corruption of contemporary economic systems. The work is seductive in its apparent visual simplicity, but stands out as a profound meditation on greed, hierarchy and the fragility of social foundations.
Here, the artists employ the strategy of visual détournement, a signature of their practice, to question the way symbols circulate and condition collective thought. By attacking the banknote, they don't destroy the currency: they reveal its ideological dimension. The title, Inconspicuous, acts as a discreet warning: it is precisely what remains invisible in everyday life - exploitation, dependence, fear - that feeds the mechanics of capital. With this work, Icy & Sot transform a simple transaction object into a critical mirror of our times, reminding us that true value lies not in money, but in the consciousness it awakens.
About the artist
Saman (b. 1985) and Sasan Oskouei (b. 1991) are two multidisciplinary artist brothers from Tabriz, Iran, currently based in Brooklyn, New York. Their collaborative practice, initially known as Icy & Sot, began in the 2000s with engaging stencils on the streets of Tabriz, addressing social and political issues in a context of censorship and repression. In 2012, they emigrated to the United States, where they expanded their artistic scope to include installations, sculptures, performances and works on canvas.
Their work is recognized for its visual simplicity and symbolic power, addressing themes such as borders, migration, women's rights, economic inequality and environmental crisis. Using a variety of materials, including wood, steel and natural elements, they create works that interrogate contemporary social and political structures. Their artistic approach emphasizes the message, choosing the most appropriate mediums to reinforce the impact of their ideas.
Among their notable works is a permanent installation in Lisbon depicting the European flag made of wire mesh and barbed wire, symbolizing the challenges faced by asylum seekers. In 2025, their exhibition Flora Urbanica at Galerie Danysz in Paris marked a shift towards organic abstraction, exploring the resilience of nature in the urban environment through stylized plant forms and natural materials.
Their work has been shown in international institutions such as the MOCO Museum in Amsterdam, the Saatchi Gallery in London and the Museum of Fine Arts in Calais. Through their creations, Saman and Sasan Oskouei continue to offer a poetic and engaged reflection on contemporary issues, blending urban aesthetics with humanitarian concerns.
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