Isaiah Zagar

My eulogy in images.

In 1996, I visited Philadelphia on my journey circumnavigating the US in my yellow Subaru. I interviewed Isaiah at the site of his now famous Magic Gardens. As you will see in the mini documentary I hastily edited together, he was in the midst of it’s creation.

He and his wife Julia were like second parents to me when I lived on South Street in Philadelphia. I’ve known them since I was six, maybe even younger. Isaiah died on Thursday, February 19, 2026. He was very frail when I was last saw him but the light shining from his sparkly eyes and smile was something to behold.

Here’s a quick 10 minute edit of the footage I shot, a homage of sorts. I laughed a lot cutting it. I cried a lot too. My last exchange with Isaiah a few months ago was so connected and beautiful, we shared several tender moments and somehow I knew it might be the last time I’d see him alive. I am grateful I got to spend time with him, Julia and my dear friend Zeke, their son.

His other son, Jeremiah Zagar, made a beautiful documentary called In a Dream. Here’s the link.

Life is the full catastrophe and art is the center of the real world. I sometimes forget how blessed certain parts of my life have been. Isaiah’s passing has reminded me what it means to embrace each moment. There’s a bit in Jeremiah’s film where Isaiah talks about how he feels everything, including his own shit, literally. He makes no distinction between shit and gold in that moment. I love him for that. I love his madness, his commitment to life and his acceptance of death.

My heart is heavy with his passing and light as a feather knowing his legacy is sound.