The document describes a visit to the Philadelphia Magic Gardens, an immersive outdoor mosaic environment created by artist Isaiah Zagar. The author discusses being overwhelmed by the amount of detailed tilework that covers all surfaces. Tiles, glass bottles, bricks and other found objects are arranged in intricate, colorful patterns on the walls, ceilings and floors. The randomized structures and immense amount of details provide an experience unlike anything the author had seen before in art.

1. An Overwhelming Experience
Magic Gardens
Joanna Nawn

2. An Overwhelming Mosaic Experience
On September 19th I explored the Philadelphia Magic
Garden created by Isaiah Zagar. This project was started in
1994 and was deemed a nonprofit in 2004. This was an
experience that I had never before encountered. Tiles, glass
bottles, bricks, bicycle wheels and glass surround the exhibit.
The walls, ceiling and floors are completely covered with all
of these items in such a way that every little detail could be
its own art piece. I had never had such an overwhelming
experience like this before. The randomized structure of the
work format was amazing to me.
When walking through the gardens it can seem
overwhelming, but in a great way due to how immersed you
are in the work. There is so much to explore and observe in
the garden. I was taken back by the hard work put into the
gardens due to the lengths Isaiah Zagar must have taken to
make this masterpiece. His mosaics are an inspiration the
community it is located in and everyone should appreciate
his hard work.
If we look at Antoni Gaudi in comparison to Isaiah Zagar we
can really learn a lot about the trade of mosaic work. Antoni
Gaudi creates beautiful exterior mosaics, which gives the
viewer a look into how Zagar found some of his inspiration
from. Zagar is a bit different from Gaudi due to the way he
keeps to pastel colors in different sections of his mosaics. It
is almost as if his work is to be seen in color-coded sections.
This experience was amazing and unlike anything I have
experienced before in any artworld. Isaiah Zagar’s mosaics
are timeless and truly beautiful. It was wonderful to hear that
the community works hard in keeping the Magic Gardens
alive for all to see.

3. This work hidden towards to roof will give the viewer a new sense of recycling with the cascade of
green and blue glass bottles placed as if they were tumbling down the walls in a wave like formation.
The bicycle wheels add to the sense of tumbling.

4. A word and tiled explosion are encased in a frame, giving it a sense of overwhelmingness and randomness. We see faces
in various spots among the words and tiles. This gives a sense that these words are in reference to the people depicted,
giving us a look into who they are as people.

5. A beautifully tiled sunset is brought to focus due to its vast difference to the tiled wall surrounding it. Here is one place that
brushstrokes are seen and give the garden a new feel. Pastel blues, yellows and greens are a calming sight to gaze at
while exploring the gardens.

6. Tiles of human form overtake the viewer bringing an awareness to various forms of anatomy displayed. These tiles are
hidden in its own little caved in area awaiting a viewer to take a closer look. The color changes surrounding the tiles
makes a strategic focal point.

7. A simple bicycle wheel stands among the bricks and tiles letting viewers gaze at the vastness of tiles surrounding them. It
is almost as if the bicycle wheel is a new vantage point for the seeing works from far away. Located on one of the first
walls when entering the garden, it demands attention.

8. About the size of a large paperweight figures emerge out of cement next to glass bottles. The background is surrounded
by tiles of letters and faces. The figures are a bit disconfigured, but it also seems as if the figures were dancing and were
frozen in their stances.