Upon first glance, these gardens may seem like Wonderland. Or a wonky but fabulously futuristic labyrinth. Or very likely both.
The Magical Gardens in Philadelphia is a very special collection of found objects and items left for the trash, mixed with handmade mosaics. What began as a gallery space for Isaiah Zagar, turned into a not- for-profit educational organisation and a community movement. The existence and popularity of the gardens even stopped an interstate (a motorway) from being developed in the neighbourhood.
We were super impressed when we came across Bottle Schools; cleverly crafted community built schools from long lasting, wasteful plastic bottles. And again, we find ourselves in awe or yet another creatively constructed All-Consuming place, these Magical Gardens, built both for and by the community.
Katherine Hui is currently the Social site editor at Green Thing, a web-based public service in London that inspires people to lead greener lives through creative content.
Before this, she worked as the Development Manager at Social Innovation Camp, an organization that encourages people to use web and mobile-based technology to mobilise social change. She oversaw 300 ideas submission and helped build 20 prototypes – five of which have gone on to get further funding or investment.
Katherine’s came over to the UK form Canada in 2007 for an MSc program at the London School of Economics. Before arriving in London, she managed a small environmental start-up in Vancouver called the Canadian Climate Change Alliance.
Katherine is football mad. She is a loyal supporter of Arsenal FC, plays for Islington Borough Ladies FC and coaches for Gunners in Islington in her spare time. Her second favourite hobby is kite surfing and she can sometimes be found chasing the wind.
