An Immersive Sculptural Experience at 110 North Wacker

The Project:

In reimagining the lobby at 110 North Wacker, this exhibition brings together the work of two Chicago-based artists whose practices explore form, materiality, and place. Sculptor Karl Geckler and artist Rea-Silvia Emmanouil transform the space into a dynamic environment that invites reflection and visual exploration.

Geckler’s custom sculptures merge geometric precision with biomorphic forms, shaped by his time studying stone carving in Pietrasanta, Italy. His work balances structure and fluidity, creating objects that feel both engineered and organic. Emmanouil, born in Greece, draws deeply from the coastline and mountainous landscapes of her youth, as well as her background in painting and photography. These influences surface through layered, complex sculptural compositions that evoke memory, movement, and place.

Together, their distinct yet complementary practices create a dialogue within the lobby—one that activates the space through contrast, rhythm, and material presence, offering viewers an immersive and engaging experience.

Statement from the Curator, Niamh Carty: 

"Since the inception of the rotating art program, the main lobby continues to present a new sculptural exhibit offering a revitalized experience for both the building tenancy and visitors alike.

The current exhibit showcases works by acclaimed local artists, Karl Geckler and Rea-Silvia Emmanouil, achieving remarkable softness through their use of otherwise rigid materials. Each piece of the collection uniquely offers a variety of depth and shape perception to the viewers of the building community. We hope this exhibition continues to inspire and extend an opportunity of reflection upon each visit through the main lobby."

About the Artist, Karl Geckler: 

"Karl Geckler is a Chicago-based sculptor, architect, and furniture designer whose work merges structured form and natural movement. Working with marble, stone, and bronze, he creates monumental sculptures and contemporary functional pieces that highlight the dynamic relationship between positive and negative space. His practice balances tradition and experimentation, resulting in emotionally charged works that are as structurally bold as they are visually refined."

To learn more about Karl and his work, visit his site, linked here.

About the Artist, Rea-Silvia Emmanouil: 

"Rea-Silvia Emmanouil is a Greek interdisciplinary artist based in Chicago whose sculptural work transforms solid materials into unexpectedly fluid, organic forms. Informed by her background in painting and digital media, she creates large-scale installations that balance strength and softness while engaging the natural world, architecture, and the body. Her work explores themes of movement, transformation, and the tension between the industrial and the organic, inviting viewers into environments that feel both grounded and in motion."

To learn more about Rea-Silvia and her work, visit her site, linked here.