Philadelphia's Magic Gardens: The Dreamwork of Isaiah Zagar

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens: The Dreamwork of Isaiah Zagar

Philadelphia s Magic Gardens captures the artistry of one of Philadelphia s most prolific muralists. Begun in 1994 and opened for the public 2008, Zagar s Magic Gardens overflows from its empty lot on South Street to cover the landscape in a labyrinthine display of found objects. This multicolored, multitextured, mural erupts in splashes of vibrant glass, stone, and twisted metal that can only be described as fantastical in comparison to the dull urban grey of its surroundings. Zagar, an award-wining mosaic artist, is well known for his other mural work across the world. Visitors to Philadelphia alone can find his art covering roughly 300 walls as part of his overall 50,000 square feet of designs. Heavily influenced by his travels around Peru, China, India, and a host of other countries, Zagar s art combines colors and textures in a fusion of ideas that demand admiration from passersby. Never before has the beauty of the Magic Gardens been collected in a single photobook. Expertly photographed, this volume features over 130 full-color images of the Gardens. This book will provide a comprehensive look into the magic behind the creation of Philadelphia s Magic Gardens. The personality of cities, and what makes them uniquely memorable, is always the human touch expressed by the hearts and minds of caring individuals, not merely the bottom line generic constructions generated by developers. Gaudi is to Barcelona what Isaiah Zagar is in good measure to Philadelphia. -- --Rebecca Alban Hoffberger, Founder and Director, American Visionary Art Museum Zagar has successfully blurred the boundaries of fine and folk art, merging painting, sculpture, ceramics and architecture into one exuberant, wonderfully accessible enterprise of contemporary art." -- --Kathleen A. Foster, The Robert L. Mcneil, Jr., Senior Curator of American Art; Director, Center for American Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia Magic Gardens: The Dreamwork\ of Isaiah Zagar captures the artistry of one of Philadelphia's most prolific muralists. Begun in 1994 and opened for the public 2008, Zagar's Magic Gardens overflows from its empty lot on South Street to cover the landscape in a labyrinthine display of found objects. This multicolored, multitextured, mural erupts in splashes of vibrant glass, stone, and twisted metal that can only be described as fantastical in comparison to the dull urban grey of its surroundings. Zagar, an award-wining mosaic artist, is well known for his other mural work across the world. Visitors to Philadelphia alone can find his art covering roughly 300 walls as part of his overall 50,000 square feet of designs. Heavily influenced by his travels around Peru, China, India, and a host of other countries, Zagar's art combines colors and textures in a fusion of ideas that demand admiration from passersby. In conjunction with the nonprofit art museum and gallery that oversees the installation, Camino Books will be publishing the first ever complete photobook documenting the Magic Gardens. Expertly photographed, never before has the beauty of the Magic Gardens been collected in a single photobook featuring over 130 beautifully shot color photos of the gardens by David Soffa and descriptions, history, and anecdotes written by Emily Smith, this book will provide a comprehensive look into the magic behind the creation of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. Emily Smith, Executive Director of the Magic Gardens. Aside from her work in the Gardens, Smith is a dedicated painter who has displayed her art in multiple exhibitions. David Soffa, photographer and artist, attended Bard College for his BA and Yale University for his Masters in Fine Arts. Currently located in Philadelphia, Soffa has amassed a portfolio rich in photographs of both urban and natural life.