We went to Philadelphia recently, and in looking online for things
to do before the trip I found THE MAGIC GARDENS. It is a space filled to the brim with mosaics
and art by Isaiah Zagar. I like mosaic – always love visiting the
American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore with its mosaic egg and walls. And
we visited a space mosaic-ed by Niki de Saint Phalle, Queen Califia’s Magic
Circle, in Escondido, California
once that fascinated me, so I knew I would enjoy the Magic Gardens.
But honestly, I was not prepared for the
sensations that overcame me.
Every inch of the space – the walls, the stairs, the
columns, the floors, was covered in ART. Most was mosaic made from tiles, glass,
ceramic, bits and pieces of life, all grouted together. The artist seemed to have expressed his
innermost thoughts, himself, and
glued bits and pieces of it everywhere. It
was as if he was showing himself to the world, but only the attentive few would
find the pieces of the puzzle scattered all about and be able to put them
together to get a glimpse of his soul.
I was in the gardens with my sweetheart and
other family members. They seemed to
enjoy the artwork for a while, but quickly grew to the “Ok, let’s get out of
here and move onto the next activity” phase, whereas I felt like I could
explore for hours. That'w what art does, I guess, it either "clicks" with a person or it doesn't. Me - I wanted to see every
nook and cranny – sit on the tile in the little hidden mosaic cave, lie down and
look UP to the chimney mosaic-ed above us – and take it all in.
In the last few years I have chosen to be more
transparent about my life – sharing what I am feeling and going through (both
good and bad). I used to be much more
guarded and private, but I have learned that through writing and expressing who
am I and what I am going through, I find solace, healing and knowledge. Isaiah Zagar, the Magic Gardens artist, must
feel the same way. By creating – painting,
collecting bits and pieces, blending, grouting, MAKING – he can open up, be himself,
and LIVE.
Where my family saw messiness and “junk” – I saw
art.
When other visitors loudly proclaimed that the
work surrounding us was a symptom of extreme mental illness – I saw it as a
symptom of CREATIVITY and self-expression.
And when others seemed to find the stimulation
overwhelming and gaudy – I FOUND IT CALM AND PEACEFUL.
I related to it.
I loved it.
Since we left, I have been thinking about
it. MY
LIFE IS A MOSAIC. My desk, so messy
and full of papers that I had to install a desk number 2 (instead of sorting
out desk 1). The dining room table,
where I sit writing now, which is almost NEVER devoid of gifts to be wrapped,
bills to be paid, and mail to sort. But mostly,
my MIND.
The things that whirl and swirl in my mind and
never stop… Cards to mail, clothes to
wash, checks to deposit, vegetables to plant.
But mostly – ART. Projects that
have seeds in my mind, some have pieces collected just waiting to be used, that
have yet to be born. The “Happy Hoopers”. The “You Know You Want To”. The “Kindness Yard Sale”. The chalkboard. The audio described museum on the corner. The tear-off signs. All expressions of me that will someday stop
swirling in my mind and find their way to our front gate.
Thank you, Magic Gardens. You showed me that my mind is a mosaic. Instead
of fretting or worrying or being ashamed of the “mess”, I will celebrate
it. My Mosaic Mind.
(All artwork by Isaiah Zagar, photos by Susan Thompson-Gaines)
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