Gescheidle

This is a difficult review because I really love Susan Gescheidle but have a problem with the conceptual approach of the art her gallery exhibits. She has personality plus in a difficult art market – that is, the contemporary art minefield such as it is in Chicago. Unfortunately, Susan hasn’t made her challenge any easier by exhibiting some of the strangest and ultimately unsellable performance and installation art in Chicago. While some of Gescheidle’s exhibitions might be more profitable in New York (think the craziness and frenzy of Deitch Projects), Chicago’s scene just isn’t as robust and free; we are a conservative city. But we do buy art.
That isn’t to say all of Susan’s roster isn’t marketable to Chicago collectors, it’s just that, for example, an exhibit comprised of a huge chandelier made of hypodermic needles and floors made of broken glass is a tough sell. At other contemporary art galleries, I’d run for the hills, but Susan believes in this stuff. She has a sense of humor and finds artists that reflect her attitude and don’t make every exhibition out to sound like they are challenging the art world. If you want art that languishes in it own self-​importance, read my review of moniquemeloche. Otherwise, check out Susan Gescheidle and have some fun.