Watts Towers 3

by Glenn McCarthy Art and Photography

Title

Watts Towers 3

Artist

Glenn McCarthy Art and Photography

Medium

Photograph - Photography - Digital Pastel

Description

Took a series of photos and digitally enhanced them. This Third and final in the series has a pastel effect to it. For Best Viewing results please use the High Resolution Preview.

It had been years since I first saw the Towers. After picking up a relative from the L.A. Airport we decided to go by and take a look at these curious creations on the way back. It really is an impressive sight. The imagination of one man and the years of labor he put into... only to walk away! This is the tallest of the three towers and stands at 99 feet tall.

I recommend visiting these if you are ever in the vicinity. Just make sure it is during the daytime hours because they are located in about as rough a section of Los Angeles as there is. But in the daylight hours the monument itself seems to bring out the best in everyone as though it were on hallowed ground. It is a surreal experience! Everyone has a reverential attitude. God Bless!

History:

The Watts Towers or Towers of Simon Rodia in the Watts district of Los Angeles, California, is a collection of 17 interconnected structures, two of which reach heights of over 99 feet (30 m). The Towers were built by Italian immigrant construction worker Sabato ("Sam" or "Simon") Rodia in his spare time over a period of 33 years, from 1921 to 1954. The work is an example of non-traditional vernacular architecture and American Native art.

In 1921, after having lived in Long Beach since 1917, Rodia purchased the triangular-shaped lot at 1761-1765 107th Street in Los Angeles and began to construct his masterpiece, which he called "Nuestro Pueblo" (meaning "our town"). when he was asked why he made the towers, he answered "I wanted to do something big and I did it."

In 1955, when Rodia was approaching 75, he deeded his property to a neighbor because he was tired of all the problems and controversy that his project was stirring up with his neighbors, and retired to Martinez, California to be near his family. On June 17th, 1965 Sam died there... having never returned to his project again. For more information and history go to: http://www.wattstowers.us/simon_rodia.htm

"Watts Towers 3 - Los Angeles"
(C) All Copyrights Reserved By Glenn McCarthy 2012. The Fine Art America Security Watermark is not printed on any purchased product.

Don't forget to take a look at Watts Towers 1 and 2.

Painterly Digital Photography Gallery/T-Shirts Gallery
Glenn McCarthy Art and Photography

http://glenn-mccarthy.pixels.com/

Uploaded

August 6th, 2012

Colors

Embed

Share

Tags