Philadelphia's Magic Gardens: The Dreamwork of Isaiah Zagar

Philadelphia’s Most Unique art attraction in 120 gorgeous color detail.If you live in Philadelphia, you not only know about mosaic artist, painter and all-around “local personality” and “icon” Isaiah Zagar and the Magic Gardens on South Street (the artistic hub of Philly). LONG before he began creating his one-of-a-kind multi-material “space” which fills nearly half a city block, he was decorating walls around the city with his cut and assembled reflecting artworks.I’ve lived in the neighborhood that Isaiah and his wife Julia raised their family (including son Jeremiah who is an internationally know film director) for over 50 years. Isaiah, now 80 , still frequents neighborhood businesses and makes a great conversationalist.Zagar went to art school but then fell into depression and, from that came is talent in making new art from found objects – mostly mirrors and ceramics but also bicycle parts! . He is dyslexic which gives him a new perspective on structure.Though Zagar has embellished over 200 walls around the city (mostly in the Queen Village and Bella Vista neighborhoods of South Philadelphia), this 128-page hardbound book concentrates on just Magic Gardens project (now, thanks to prominent Philadelphians, operated as a not-for profit Foundation). It’s a paradise for kids – no matter what age – who find small things to concentrate on that many parents wouldn’t notice.Begun in 1991 and officially opened as an “attraction” in 2008, this is also an education center. Zagar is often seen adding new items and updating the words that act as a “diary of his life. (self-portraits and images of his wife and two sons. Abound)The first 14 pages are mostly text with a Foreword, Preface and Introduction (the latter two by the MG’s Executive Director. From then on it is nearly all photos (all in color) highlighting things you will definitely miss on your first visit. There are a few “captions” but it’s mostly visuals you can spend minutes gazing at.This book will serve as a “catalog” of the art and a souvenir of those who visit this unique art installation. But hopefully it will spread the word far and wide.To learn more about Zagar’s life and family I urge you to seek out the documentary – “In A Dream” - that son Jeremiah wrote and directed in 2008. (It’s available free on Vimeo).Steve Ramm“Anything Phonographic”