Nico Icon

When you see Nico’s art you might think, he has something to conceal. On the contrary – he has a way of showing us hidden messages and feelings in pictures. Born somewhere in Bellac, a small village next to Limoges, Central France on June 23 1979. He was adopted by his parents on December 19 1979. He studied in Limoges where he also finished his actor training at Académie Théâtrale Du Théâtre De L’Union. When he’s not on stage, Nico like to recycle images, express hidden emotions of others, DJ with the Relou Krew from Paris. Oh, and he goes wolves hunting too. We chatted about his art, passions and penis.

Is Nico Icon your real name?

No, Nico Icon is not my real name, Nico is the name of my favorite singer and Nico Icon is a great documentary about her, my real name isn’t a secret, it’s Nicolas Petisoff.

Do you celebrate the date that you were born or the day you got adopted?

The day I was adopted.

When did you start making art?

I have an atypical career path in plastic art. I’m an actor and am very attached to the visual transposition of feelings and sensations, who  wonders about an easy to reach media to pass on his desires. So, when? I don’t know, I was always interested in visual art, I did lot of party flyers. I like to take a different look on the world, but I do that seriously since Marcel Schlutt wanted my artwork for HONK!

Do you take the pictures you work on or do you use internet archive?

The both, when I can, I take my own pictures.

What is the technique you are using in the process of creating your artwork? How do you call this genre?

I don’t know what is the name of this genre, it’s “my genre” (haha) I draw lines or colors on a picture with a digital editing software. I look at a pic and I get a general vision about it. Then I try to draw this vision.

What music do you listen to when you create your artwork?

I love new-wave and post punk music like B-52’s, Grauzone, Malaria. Currently, I’m big fan of Bettina Koester, aMinus, Namosh, Jessie Evans. I’m a Neue Deutsch Welle Addict.

Which artists inspire you?

I love Terry Richardson (photographer), Slava Mogutin (photographer), Samir Mougas (plastician artist), Karosabutkiss (transformer of vintage pictures), Alain Platel (Choreographer), etc … the list is long.

You distort pictures and put layers on top of them so they express something completely different than the original. What is your art about except recycling?

I try, through a mathematical vector (the line), to project some kind of emotion and some strangeness on faces made of flesh. It’s a workshop of perfection which is hurt here. I use the line, a geometrical shape which, made from human hand, lightly throws off the shape balance. the imperfection is king. The failing is sublimated. The image and its mutation are essential in this pursuit, the line reflects his rigor and a numerical lace covers known and unknown faces. Stamped of a childlike nostalgia, finding back the super heroes in a mask of my childhood, the “Robot” concept was born. I don’t look for convening the beautiful, i try to make sense, sensitive.

Is this your penis in your color peeing images?

Yes, it’s mine! He’s not so big, but I’m happy what I have (haha)

Do you like golden shower?

I don’t know, I have never done it, not yet. This is an invitation, who wants pee on me?! (hahaha)

What fetishes do you have?

I’m a pleasure addict, I think I’m a little bit of an exhibitionist! I’m also a wolf fetishist. Oh, and a geometric tattoo fetishist!

What is your day job that pays the bills?

I’m an actor, i play with “The Unijambiste company”, it’s my real job.