Magic Gardens is a unique mosaic art environment located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Created by artist Isaiah Zagar, it is a vibrant and colorful outdoor space that covers half a city block. The gardens are made up of intricate mosaic pieces, including tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, and other found objects. The Magic Gardens began as a personal project for Zagar in the late 1960s. He started by creating mosaics on the walls of his South Street property. Over time, his art expanded to neighboring buildings and eventually grew into what is now known as the Magic Gardens.
Over time, his art expanded to neighboring buildings and eventually grew into what is now known as the Magic Gardens. The gardens are a testament to Zagar's creativity and passion for art. Walking through the Magic Gardens is a surreal experience.
Flaming marshmallow lawsuit dropped against Castle, prompts Magic Gardens event to return
Psi Upsilon, also known as Castle, is located on 36th and Locust Streets.
A negligence lawsuit suing Penn's chapter of Psi Upsilon, commonly known as Castle, has been dropped after a Penn alumna alleged that she was severely burned by a large, flaming marshmallow at a 2017 Halloween party. The party, known as Magic Gardens, will return in April after operations were suspended because of the suit.
2018 Nursing graduate Jessica Davis sued Castle for negligence in September 2018 after she was allegedly severely harmed at the "Magic Gardens Halloween" party on Oct. 27, 2017 at an off-campus venue at 5126 Warren St.
Three Penn students and fraternity members were named in the suit, including 2018 College and Engineering graduate Vadim Ordovsky-Tanaevsky, Wharton senior Patrick Lobo, and Engineering junior Edmund Hammond. Penn's Psi Upsilon chapter, the Psi Upsilon national office, and the landlord of the party venue were also listed as co-defendants.
Davis, the complaint states, was standing near an unmonitored fire pit wearing a shirt with an open back. A party guest, who was drunk, was roasting a marshmallow and shook the stick, causing the marshmallow to adhere to Davis's back.
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The incident, Davis claimed, resulted in permanent scarring. She contended that her injury could have been prevented if the fraternity provided adequate supervision to protect the approximately 1,000 students partying and drinking near open flames.
The lawsuit was dismissed soon after it was filed, Thomas Fox, executive director of Psi Upsilon's international office, wrote in an email to The Daily Pennsylvanian. After the lawsuit was filed on Sept. 19, 2018, Davis' lawyer submitted a request to dismiss the lawsuit on Sept. 28, 2018.
Davis and her lawyer, Kevin Clancy Boylan, who works for the personal injury firm Morgan & Morgan, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Hammond said he has not been contacted by the parties who filed the lawsuit since its dismissal and the fraternity was not given a reason why the case was dropped.
This semester, Magic Gardens will be hosted by LW Productions, a Penn student-run LLC composed of Castle members and non-affiliated students, on April 12 during the week of Spring Fling, Hammond said. It will be the first Magic Gardens event held since the 2017 Spring Fling party and will be hosted separately from the fraternity. The Magic Gardens party had been held consecutively since Spring Fling 2016.
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"Beyond the fact that some of the members of the team, myself included, are Psi Upsilon brothers, there is no affiliation between the event and Psi Upsilon," said Hammond, who is the LW Productions director. "Since reviving the event from last year, I have made sure that the two entities are completely separate. We run Magic Gardens as a professional event separate from any one particular fraternity."
The planners will also be taking more precautions this semester to ensure the safety of attendees, Hammond said, adding that the party will have an EMT stationed at the venue and increased security.
Every guest's wristband will also include a "unique identifier" to provide event staff with the guest's emergency contact information, said Engineering and Wharton junior EJ Murphy, who directs LW Productions' Partnerships and Talent Team.
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The walls are covered in mosaic art that tells stories and creates a sense of wonder. Visitors can discover hidden messages, symbols, and images embedded within the intricate designs. Each corner of the gardens reveals something new and unexpected, making it a place of endless exploration. Besides the outdoor space, the Magic Gardens also includes an indoor gallery that showcases Zagar's artwork. Visitors can learn more about the artist's life and artistic process through the exhibits and displays. The gallery provides a deeper understanding of Zagar's work and his connection to the city of Philadelphia. In addition to being a creative and enchanting space, the Magic Gardens also serves as a community organization. It hosts various events and workshops, offering opportunities for people of all ages to engage with art. The gardens have become a gathering place for artists, locals, and tourists alike, fostering a sense of community and appreciation for the arts. The Magic Gardens are a reflection of Isaiah Zagar's unique vision and artistic talent. His ability to transform everyday objects into beautiful works of art has left a lasting impact on Philadelphia's cultural landscape. Whether you are an art enthusiast or simply looking for an inspiring and magical experience, the Magic Gardens is a must-visit destination..
Reviews for "Capturing the magic: Photography tips for UPenn's stunning gardens"
1. John Doe - 1/5 stars: I was really disappointed with my visit to Magic Gardens UPenn. I had heard so much hype about it, but when I got there, I found it to be overpriced and underwhelming. The art installations were crowded and many of them looked like random junk put together. I expected something more impressive and cohesive. Additionally, the staff seemed disinterested and unhelpful. Overall, I would not recommend visiting this attraction.
2. Jane Smith - 2/5 stars: I had high hopes for the Magic Gardens at UPenn, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The entrance fee was quite steep for what you get to see - a small outdoor area filled with mosaics made of broken glass and tiles. While some parts were visually appealing, the majority lacked structure and artistic merit. It felt more like a random collection of messy artwork than a thoughtful and well-curated installation. Overall, I was left feeling unimpressed and would advise spending your time and money elsewhere.
3. Michael Johnson - 2/5 stars: The Magic Gardens at UPenn were underwhelming and not worth the admission price. The artwork was all over the place - some pieces were interesting, while others appeared sloppy and haphazardly put together. It lacked a cohesive theme or narrative that would have made the experience more meaningful. Additionally, the crowded and narrow passageways made it difficult to fully appreciate the artwork and take in the surroundings. Overall, I left feeling unsatisfied and regretful of the time and money spent on this attraction.
4. Sarah Thompson - 1/5 stars: I visited the Magic Gardens UPenn and found it to be incredibly disappointing. The artwork was unimpressive and looked like something a child could create with random materials. The narrow passageways were difficult to navigate, especially with the large crowds. Additionally, the admission fee was too high for what was essentially a small outdoor exhibit with limited artistic value. I would not recommend wasting your time and money on this underwhelming attraction.