As I mentioned earlier, my friend Jeff and I took a walk along South St. one morning while we were in Philadelphia. For a few blocks along South St. and along some of the side streets there is a wonderful, weird installation of mosaics in, on, and between a bunch of buildings and vacant lots. The artwork is by Isaiah Zagar, who has been making these murals since he moved to Philadelphia in the late 1960s. I really enjoy this type of art and have made trips to places such as the Heidelberg Project in Detroit and the Garden of Eden in Lucas, Kansas, and plan on visiting Fred Smith's Concrete Park in Wisconsin later this year.
I could say more but I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves in the photo gallery.
More about Isaiah Zagar and his art:
Philadelphia People profile.
Pew Fellowships in the Arts biography.
Philadelphia Weeklyarticle about protecting murals, and a reprinted biography from the same publication.
Photos from Agility Nut.
I was just in Philly doing some research. I saw the mosaics as well. Took a few photos.
Just a few blocks away is the site of the first time American militia fired artillery upon American citizens.
Posted by: J. Nathan Matias | 01 April 2004 at 08:12 PM
They're pretty cool aren't they? I didn't know that about the militia firing on citizens. When did that occur?
Posted by: joe | 01 April 2004 at 09:25 PM
These mosaics are beautiful, thank you for sharing them!
Posted by: Katie | 04 April 2004 at 11:24 PM
July, 1844. There was a several day standoff, and rioters nearly killed a militia captain with his own sword, causing the militia members to fire at them. It was a bloody night, and both sides had cannon.
Posted by: J. Nathan Matias | 01 May 2004 at 04:42 PM
Thanks for posting the mosaic art.
Very nice mosaic designs.
Regards-Steve
http://www.mosaictile-art.com
Posted by: Steve | 21 May 2006 at 06:25 PM
The collection of outdoor mosaics in Philadelphia are a public treasure in a city full of timeless architecture, as well as a formidable history of artistic design and expression. Amazing and eye opening, the glittering mosaics lie in the heart of the community as a testament to the truly unique artistry and diversity that make Philadelphia one of the greatest cities to live in and visit.
Posted by: Darcy | 15 June 2006 at 09:19 PM
I think these outdoor mosaics are fascinating. They really should be treated as a public treasure, and hopefully they are. Other states that I've lived in don't have anything close to these, unless you count graffiti.
Posted by: Gaul Law | 08 September 2008 at 01:05 PM