Philadelphia Artwork May Escape Eviction

Alacrity · Jun 27, 2004

Posted on Sun, Jun. 27, 2004

The owner of a South Street lot had ordered an artist to remove a collection he had built there. Donations could allow it to stay.

By Stephan Salisbury

Inquirer Staff Writer

An anonymous benefactor has descended on South Street and raised hopes that a renegade art garden full of mosaic murals and sculptures may be saved from obliteration, said a lawyer involved in the matter.

The garden, a once rat-infested vacant lot at 1024-26 South St., is owned by a Boston real estate partnership.

But over the last decade, artist Isaiah Zagar, a familiar bearded figure on South Street whose mirror-and-ceramic murals can be seen throughout the city, has used the property as a gritty pedestal for an increasingly elaborate mosaic and sculptural world.

Several weeks ago - much to the dismay of neighbors, tour operators and public officials - owners of the lot ordered Zagar to dismantle and remove his work before active marketing of the property.

Now the benefactor has appeared, however, and Zagar is discussing ways to acquire the site.

The owner, Gaston Serge Realty Trust, is asking $300,000 and had given Zagar until May 23 to remove sculptures, mosaics, installations and other structures.

"At the moment, Isaiah is focusing on possible acquisition," said Jamie B. Bischoff, a lawyer with the Philadelphia firm of Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll. "The exact nature of the deal is still under discussion."

Bischoff declined to identify the benefactor or to characterize the discussions or the deal.

Lou Orocofsky, agent for the owner, could not be reached for comment Friday.

In an earlier interview, he said that Gaston Serge bought the property as an investment.

According to records at the Board of Revision of Taxes, Gaston Serge purchased the two adjoining parcels in 1988 for $65,000 each.

The art, Orocofsky said, has come to so dominate the site that potential buyers might be put off.

Bischoff said no new deadline for removing the artwork had been imposed.

Zagar is establishing a nonprofit organization - Philadelphia's Magic Garden - that would raise funds and manage the property if acquisition were successful.

The organization might sponsor tours of the Zagar mosaic heartland as well as workshops on mosaic making, according to Allison Weiss, Zagar's assistant.

She added that more than $2,000 has been contributed by individual donors toward a possible acquisition of the property.

The artist, whose Kater Street studio looks onto the back of the garden, said he was intent on saving his work, which many see as emblematic of South Street and the 1960s origins of the contemporary neighborhood.

A half-century ago, the city planned to run an expressway down the street, river to river. Artists, including Zagar and his family, moved in, acquiring inexpensive property and vowing to fight the expressway. They won the fight.

Since then, Zagar has created large and small mosaics throughout the area, all freely donated.

But the vacant South Street lot represents his riotous artistic heart, he said.

Many in the city agree, and tour operators often stop buses nearby so visitors can take a look for themselves.

"The artwork itself and the personality behind it are unique to Philadelphia," said Andrew Larson, a tour guide with Philadelphia Trolley Works.

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I can't believe this! I know that man and his son. If any of you have ever been to South Street in Philadelphia, you probably have seen Isaiah's work. I hope they can raise enough money to save it.

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Philadelphia Artwork May Escape Eviction

Alacrity don't stop talking to me; i haven't been listening LPA Super Member

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Philadelphia Artwork May Escape Eviction

Alacrity don't stop talking to me; i haven't been listening LPA Super Member

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