Watts Towers - Los Angeles
by Glenn McCarthy Art and Photography
Title
Watts Towers - Los Angeles
Artist
Glenn McCarthy Art and Photography
Medium
Photograph - Photography - Digital
Description
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!
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.
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.
The Watts Towers are located near (and visible from) the 103rd Street-Kenneth Hahn Station of the Metro Rail LACMTA Blue Line. They were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990.
Rodia reportedly did not get along with his neighbors, some of whom allowed their children to vandalize his work. Rumors that the towers were antennae for communicating with enemy Japanese forces or contained buried treasure caused suspicion and further vandalism.
In 1955, Rodia gave the property away and left, reportedly tired of the abuse he had received. He retired to Martinez, California and never came back. He died a decade later. (Wikipedia)
"Watts Towers - Los Angeles"
(C) All Copyrights Reserved By Glenn McCarthy 2012 The Fine Art America Security Watermark does not appear on any purchased product.
Painterly Digital Photography Gallery/
Glenn McCarthy Art and Photography
http://glenn-mccarthy.pixels.com/
Uploaded
July 23rd, 2012
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