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We’re knocking on doors and taking a look around peoples’ homes to see where your neighbours relax, hang out with their pets, and create! It’s an invitation to snoop, but we’re staying away from their medicine cabinets. Photos: @art3fact |
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Art's done many things we dream about. He's traveled in Tibet for 5 years, photographing his subjects for his book “The Tibetans”. He's taken pictures of rock stars like Bruce Springsteen and Nick Cave. He's even been asked to draw images of The Rolling Stones during their TV performances in the 1960s. He's got all these experiences, and the man calls people like Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson friends. Art's house is rich, warm and inviting because he is.
Nowadays Art Perry teaches Critical and Cultural Studies at Emily Carr, and at night he enjoys being in his home:
"Almost everything in here is personal in some way, it’s not something that has been purchased because it looks good. There is a history of some sort. All the things on the walls, they’re signed. It’s that kind of history because I’ve been lucky enough to meet so many people and I want to share it."
For those of us who live a less grand life, making trips to Restoration Hardware and That Swedish Place, there is still lots of possibility when it comes to making our houses our homes.
"You make your own histories…little histories. Say you go together with your partner, or if you’re on your own, you get a real buzz from something-buy it, and then it becomes part of you. But the idea of going somewhere like IKEA and just buying stuff- it’s okay, but it’s much better to find something that really hits you and gets you hot and prickly. Hot and prickly is good!"
Art lives in a townhouse off Commercial Drive that he shares with his wife Carla, and their daughter Lulu. We visited in the evening (a first for the Pop-In!) Candles were lit, lights were sparkling, and in the course of our 2 hour visit, we drank tequila, beer and coffee. The living room is deep red (“Venetian red” Art says) and there are musical instruments and mementos from his family’s travels all around.
"A home should be somewhere that’s an enclave for your spirit -- not to get too cosmic on you -- but you want to come home and feel that this is where all the crap that you have in the day, all the people who are biting ankles, all the hassles of taking the number 10 bus -- which is another experience living here off the Drive -- go away. I’m an insomniac so I’m up most nights. So for me, what’s important is having a space that’s conducive to thinking. There are no sounds: there’s nothing around that can interfere so it’s a beautiful time. That’s why there are dark walls and dimmer switches on everything. You’ll notice there’s lots of candles. It’s not because I’m a goth that’s heavily into Robert Smith. I have to have an environment where I can read and prepare lectures or notes. And I don’t like the computer. I like to write my notes long hand if I can. Also, it’s got to have music. It’s got the have sound, even if it’s just ambient."
Art tells me that his first ever show was Elvis Presley in 1956 in Ottawa. I admit to him that mine was New Kids on the Block in 1992. Despite my
embarrassing admission, he’s encouraging.
"Music is huge. There’s always music going, either being played or being listened to. I have always collected music and I’ve spent my life going to concerts. Nick Cave-I’ve photographed him a couple of times, but his music has always meant something to me-the visceral murder ballads and also the incredible love songs. They become almost like tattoos. You wear them. You’re with them."
He wants his guests to linger and share in the vibe he’s spent years cultivating.
"I want it to open up something that’s in them, but that they wouldn't share otherwise. A celebration! The longer the better- you don’t want to just eat and burp and talk about real estate or TV. That’s what I call my elevator experience, when I go downtown and I get into elevators and I hear people talking-it’s a foreign language. My kick as a teacher is to go back into the well, the things that I’ve gotten something from, and to enthuse others with it! That’s where the connection is."
