Watts Towers By Simon Rodia

Simon Rodia Born in 1879 in Naples, Italy. He moved to the United States as a young boy. His heroes as a young boy were Galileo, Columbus and Buffalo Bill. He moved to Watts, California in 1920 He began working as a tile setter and started collecting broken tiles and mortar, unsure of what he would use them for.

The Watts Towers In 1921, he began working on what became his life’s work, The Watts Towers, in Watts California. Using the mortar and broken tiles, as well as soda bottles and other “trash”, he began to form his great towers. Not satisfied with just tiles and bottles, he rummaged through junkyards and beaches for additional items to add to this project.

He worked on the towers from 1921 to 1954 (23 years) until he declared them complete. In 1954, he walked away from the towers, relocated to Martinez California and never returned to Watts or his precious towers. The Watts Towers are comprised of three tall towers and four smaller towers. The largest tower is nearly 100 feet tall. His “found” objects cover the cement base mortar that is placed over wire.

He inspired many artists to use “ready made” or “found” objects in their artwork. He died in In 1977, the Watts Towers became a member of the National Register of Historic Places.

“The Watts Towers” What could have motivated the artist to build this structure? What kinds of objects would you use to build a similar structure? Would something like this fit into our community (Chandler/Gilbert)? Why or why not? What do you think of it’s appearance?

Cooperative Towers Activity You will need to be in groups of 4 or 5 students. This is a group project. You will use the sticks, straws, glue, tape and ready found objects to construct your towers. Be sure to discuss as a group the design for your tower. You can make individual towers that connect to one another or construct a large tower all together. Be sure to name your sculpture.