Carrie Schneider, "WE (Baltic Version)," 2008

RECOMMENDED

In a photographic journey to the center of her mind, performance self-portraitist Carrie Schneider ventures into her own patch of territory, which is the ironic and a bit kinky scrubland adjacent to the enchanted new-age forest. Posing in profile in deep color with a headdress made of foliated tree branches entangling itself over her torso and a sly seductive smile crossing her lips, Schneider is no earth-mother nature goddess; she is the girl you go to on the far side of town when mama’s attentions and smothering discipline have lost their luster. Of course, Schneider can be anything from a damsel fully shrouded in a burka-like zebra-striped body suit, wading in a river; or a proud princess who has exchanged tree branches for a bark-like haughty hat, and has abandoned seduction for imperious menace—she knows all the tricks. (Michael Weinstein)

Through December 6 at Monique Meloche, 118 N. Peoria, (312)455-0299.