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GETAWAYS

The gilded cottage

DEIRDRE KELLY

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 11:41 AM EST 31/07/08

When Salah Bachir first saw the living room of his country retreat in Paris, Ontario, he admired the mouldings, the high ceilings, the astonishing architectural detail, and thought "Wow, what I could do with a place like this" ...Read the full article

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  1. Sami Lama from Toronto, Canada writes: I know taste is subjective - but boy is that house ugly! Visual clutter abounds - my eyes hurt just looking at the pictures.
  2. City Pig from Toronto, Canada writes: I took a look at the pictures of this place, holy cr@p. I usually love the properties the G&M profiles but this place looks like Liberace's play room.

    YUK.
  3. Dave S from Canada writes:
    If the gallery is representative of the house's artwork, the size and quantity (and yes, nudity) overwhelms - what would be a bold statement at the entry door becomes redundant and tired in repetition through the house. Were the gender of the subjects reversed there would be serious questions of taste and objectification - the balance of the rooms shown is thrown off and appears to be set up to challenge guests rather than to "make them feel like they've come home."

    Ms. Kelly and her editors have either created a gallery of seriously unbalanced photos giving a false impression of the place, or have ignored some the most visual elements of the space in this review for the sake of political correctness. Both will generate more conversation than warranted - maybe that's the point.
  4. A S from Toronto, Canada writes: Hmmm... I was initially intrigued by this house because I read the article first and saw the exterior of the house. The photos though...well...um...I agree with Dave S: A mural in the front foyer would be provocative and interesting if the owner left it at that. But to carry it throughout the house almost implies he's obsessed with sex (and proving some point). It's distracting (whether it displays men and/or women). I can't imagine being in a home like that - not that I'd be invited :-) I do love the idea of turning the second floor into a spa though.
  5. City Pig from Toronto, Canada writes: Sleeping in that bedroom with "the guys climing the ladder mural", ooooh, I get the willies just thinking about it.
  6. Jennifer R from Ottawa, Canada writes: Nice house (outside) but all the paintings are a distraction from the architecture. Some of the paintings are nice though........
  7. Dawn Dickinson from Toronto, Canada writes: More emphasis on the architecture and less on the pornographic pictures would be appreciated. The point of the article was lost because the graphic images were so distracting. Surely the photographer could have shot a more edited angle. At one time such images as those in the bedroom would have been considered inappropriate for a national newspaper.
  8. Nature Lover from Canada writes: Quaint it isn't. At more than 9,000 square feet, the sheer scale of the place — not to mention its many rooms filled to the rafters with museum-worthy art — make anyone visiting it for the first time think they've arrived at the real centre of civilization.

    _______________________
    Hold it, stop right there. A 9,000 square ft cottage? Yes, and young families with small children struggling to have just 1 reasonable home to raise them in.

    If rich businessmen wanted to flatter themselves appropriately and be "respected", they might try to do more for society than fatten their egos. This generation leaves a legacy of Ego-building by wasting a HUGE amount of resources at the expense of our overall society and culture. Not much to be proud of really.
  9. anu bose from ottawa, Canada writes: It is a bit over the top this cottage but what do I care, I don't have to live there nor even visit it.
  10. Edward Ricephe from Toronto, Canada writes: Most of the comments treat the art shown as decoration. It is NOT decoration, it is art. That is: ART. Is that difficult to understand. Nothing in life is more frustrating than art critics who see the art only in newspapers - remember the experts on"Voice of Fire" who only saw it in newspapers? The subect matter of Lukacs may not be appealing, and the scale of the room may not be massive enough, but Lukacs is a great artist. Did you see Freud's fat lady painting that recently sold for millions? Freud's work looks terrible in print, but in real life it is to die for, no matter how hideous the subject matter.
  11. albert rose from Canada writes: Well, if they ever do another remake of La Cage aux Folles, this would be a good location for it.

    I have to agree with Blacque Jacque. If I decorated my house with 8 foot murals depicting heterosexual sex (see image 6, far left- looks like screwing to me), regardless whether I called it 'art' or not, it would likely not be featured in the Globe and Mail. It would also creep out my friends. But I could be wrong.
  12. emma _ from Canada writes: Neon Knight hit the nail on the head. This guy is a jerk. Forget the "art" - it's his acute awareness of his wealth and desire to flaunt it in juxtaposition to people's expectations that's the tackiest element in this story.
  13. Child of the North in Canada from Canada writes: Spartan it ain't. All I can think is: I'm sure glad I don't have to clean it! It would be a full-time job just dusting all the bric-a-brac!
  14. DrBehavior San Francisco from Sacramento, United States writes: I thought I had seen it all when I toured the houses of some other well known 'late' Plastic Surgeon who once upon a time lived in Toronto. There is, without doubt, a certain sort of gentleman that truly believes that this over the top kind of 'stuff' because it costs a fortune and stabs people in the eyes is really beauty incarnate. The fact of the matter is that the house is merely a repository for a showoff with poor taste.
  15. Second Look from Canada writes: Well, it's back to Babylon.

    What would the original architect and owner of this once-charming Victorian house think of it now?

    Gaah!
  16. Eileen Dover from Canada writes: Well, looks like the green-eyed monster has certainly reared its ugly head!
  17. salah bachir from Canada writes: ha ha...
  18. reg hartt from Toronto, Canada writes: The only thing astonishing about this home is that its owner has yet to be found murdered in it.

    Attila Lukacs' paintings are great paintings. They glorify thugs.

    If all this wealth is aimed at entertaining the subjects of those paintings sooner or later one of those lions is going to take a big bite out of his host.

    There will be blood all over the walls.

    What I see here is a man so unsure of himself he has to surround himself with objects designed to impress the impressionable because he knows himself to be essentially a man not worth knowing.
  19. Francie Knowit from Canada writes: Just no accounting for taste or in this case lack of taste but over abundance of money. Just wondering what happens after the dinner parties for 14. That ladder painting kind of gets the imagination going!!!
  20. ella bella from Toronto, Canada writes: Stunning!!!!!Any one who fills their home with great art and is such a great patron to Canadian artists is to be admired.And how can all you bigots use one painting or two to decribe a whole house.
    Love the article.
  21. Second Look from Canada writes: It must be disquieting being a guest in this house. I mean, how do you carry on polite conversation, while staring at all those dangly bits?
  22. Marzi Pan from Canada writes: I am so relieved to see a house which departs from the clichés of "contemporary" architectural minimalism. The world does not need another stultifying boxy condo tower with "clean lines" and "open spaces" and "smooth surfaces," which if there ever was any aesthetic merit in it (maybe lecorbusier or something - I'm not familiar with his interiors) it has long since been completely co-opted by the real estate development industry as a mandate to build cheap, quick, profitable, empty mind-numbing boxes that seem to satisfy their owners as much as any rat in a cage enjoys his lot.

    This house is over the top, and humourously so, and refreshingly so. If a person can't see themselves enjoying an invitation to stay, well, that is pitiable.

    Seriously, while I'm not especially a fan of Lukacs, it certainly fits within the aesthetic of the house as an anachronistic flight of fancy. Since when do the citizens of the world need to restrict themselves to Great Art with a Sombre and Noble Purpose? This is not a Shaker Colony. If your contribution to any conversation would be rendered completely impossible by a few naked bits in the background, I'd sincerely suggest you reevaluate the importance of what you're saying.

    As for straight Christian white men, you'd be surprised what some of the Victorians were up to, and this house takes its cues perfectly from that era.
  23. Marzi Pan from Canada writes: Oh. I forgot to add the bit about going back to being concerned about whether Janet Jackson has nipples.

    Sorry about that - it slipped my mind.
  24. Lillian Mountweazel from Canada writes: Salah Bachir has done so much for the gay community, and is so well respected. But it's hard to read lines like:

    ""Come in, come in," Mr. Bachir says. "You don't mind using the servant's entrance do you?" He is grinning ear-to-ear, aware of the impact his so-called "cottage" has on those seeing it for the first time."

    or

    "On occasion, Mr. Bachir has heightened that element of surprise by deliberately driving guests up the wrong path to a true rural abode, sinking verandah and all.

    "They tell me how charming it is, thinking to be polite," says the well-known Toronto business executive and philanthropist, relishing the tale. "And then I tell them that if they tire of it, they can meet me up at the house, which, when I finally take them to it, they stare at in disbelief.""

    Now I can't help but picture a man who uses his generosity, not to genuinely help, but to make big, showy, plays at wealth.
  25. ella bella from Toronto, Canada writes: The house is grand...the man is generous to many causes and a patron of the arts in canada ---gay and straight.He has a huge collection of Betty Goodwin and david Blackwood as well.
    Let not judge him on one quote out of context. Such a pity that those in rush to judge miss the point.I have been a guest at the house and would love to be any day.There is npt a more thoughtful caring person.
  26. Plain Jane from Canada writes: If I recall, Mr. Bachir was the driving force behind the recent Warhol show in Oakville. Here's hoping he puts on a Lukacs show too. The AGO's been closed for ages, and there are people out there who appreciate great art who'd love to see more of Bachir's collection.

    If he ever decides that he needs a change around the house, maybe he should put on another show in an outside venue and share his good fortune with the rest of the world.

    (And those of you who don't like his taste in art can just choose not to see it. Hooray for free will.)
  27. ella bella from Canada writes: I did see a Luckacs show he put on a few years ago in Toronto and also a show of 25 young Canadian artists and a U of T show Stephen Andrews work.Even in Saturday's globe there was an ad for Jacob Yerex show that Mr Bachir is presenting.

    Great article,great pics.Maybe if he put up stock certificates and options on the wall instead--that would satisfy the 'critics'.
  28. ella bella from Canada writes: Ohhh i forgot we should destroy Michaelangelo's David---it shows a penis and all those Picassos and Gaugin that show bare breasts.While we are at lets burn most of the books and well why stop there....
  29. Mateo Chante from Toronto, Canada writes: Is this conversation for real? Could we just embraced to beauty of this house and enjoy the amazing art work?
  30. Tuffy P from Canada writes: on all sides / the peony wards off / rain clouds. (-Buson) Live in love!
  31. Take an Extra Sweater from Tirana, writes:
    Barf me out! This guy has taste up his @ss.
  32. INTER NATIONALIST from Toronto, Canada writes: Way to go buddy...love the art...love the house and the panache to carry it off.
  33. The Truth Is Out There from Canada writes: this is wonderful. i am totally jealous of his art collection.
  34. INTER NATIONALIST from Canada writes: Damm him...how dare he have the audacity to have his own taste and collect such wonderful pieces.Larger than life...thank god it isn't Rochester.Reg hartt you wouldn't know good taste or art if it sat right on your face....you have polluted this city with the worst kind of drivel....
  35. scott thomas from Canada writes: Well, it certainly only takes a few male nudes to bring out the homophobes. What was it that the guerilla girls said? That the only way for a women to get into the Met was naked?
  36. carol c from Canada writes: It's not how I'd decorate my house, but I'd love to visit. Paris is a lovely town.

    To anyone who sees anything objectionable about any of the art, you need to relax. Your prudes are showing.
  37. Nicolas Ball-Jones from Walnut Creek, United States writes: A wonderfully generous man, Salah is not a rich snob or a self centered glutton. He is rather a man with a sense of humor. The servants entrance is the entrance that he uses himself. When he jokes about the property being small it is just that, a joke. All of the art is not meant to overwhelm or disturb a person, but to be artwork in a beautiful setting. What a person does with their home should not be subject to bigoted homophobes.

    Salah has been extremely generous with all of the "ostentatious wealth" that you unforgiving critics seem to have a problem with. Just because a man has a sense of humor, and lets newspaper reporters into his house doesn't give you the right to critique his life and choice of personal art.

    You go Salah!
  38. An Non from Toronto, Canada writes: "Another reminder that that heterosexual white males with Christian religious beliefs are lowest on the Canadian social rung - "

    Awful, isn't it. I'm crying for Galen Weston as I type.
  39. Slightly Optimistic from West Coast, Canada writes: LOL. How gay.

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