Travelin' Local » Watts

Watts is full of Art

Lisa Newton — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:32:39 +0000

If you would have lived in a neighborhood when 34 people died, 1,032 were injured, and 3,952 arrested, you would have resided in Los Angeles’ Watts section of the city, circa 1965—only one year after the Watts Tower Arts Center was founded.

Otherwise known as “The Watts Riots,” its indelibly etched into our national and regional consciousness.

Although the riots live in infamy, Watts’ neighborhood leaders were desirous to overcome Watts’ reputation as a violence-prone and impoverished area; even approximately 50 years after the riots.

A central theme and idea for the Watts council plans, ideas, and thinking on this matter, is to assist and re-make–if not define–this community as art and artist-friendly. Currently the Watts Tower Art Center is the key component to their plans. And so it should be, because living in the shadow of the Watts Towers, is to experience its core power; and rejuvenation potential for the human condition.

As soon as you see the Arts Center, you feel both love and the love of a people. And for that reason alone, not only because, is what drives the staff at the Center.

Taking on the theme of the Watts Towers, the multi-colored themed tile inlay, can be seen on several sides of this building.

Up till the 1940’s, Watts was a very mixed racial and ethnic neighborhood. Then gentrification began, but only in one direction. Subsequently, its racial make-up and population was Black American African, who migrated from the South in search of a better life. During World War II, several large housing projects were built, in order to house hundreds of industrial workers who lived there.

By the 1960’s Watts’ population was practically 100% Black.

Here is “The Magic Wall” which was part of a previous art class at the Center. If you look to the right, you’ll see the plaque, with the names of its contributing artists.

Overseeing her domain, “Mama Watts,” sits in the shadows of the Watts Towers, and watches hundreds of children come through the doors of the Art Center each day.

Longstanding resentment by Los Angeles’ working-class Black community over discriminatory treatment by police and inadequate public services (especially schools and hospitals) exploded on August 11, 1965, into what were commonly known as the Watts Riots. The event that precipitated the disturbances, the arrest of a black youth by the California Highway Patrol on drunk-driving charges, actually occurred outside Watts. Mobs did the most property damage in Watts in the turmoil. Source: Wikipedia

Even after the riots, the people of Watts had more problems to handle, namely gangs; to be specific:

The Bloods and the Crips—although they have reached the media spotlight as both legendary and untouchable, their corrosive and deadly influence continues until the present day.

However, despite many years of violence directly attributed to the Blood and Crips, the local community has worked among themselves, in order to get a “peace treaty,” between the two gangs.

It worked–it took four years, but the peace remains today.

Presently even though almost 30% of today’s Watts’ population lives below the poverty level, they live a safer life—and lives– where they and their children can and do grow and play. And such grows the towering influence of the Watts Towers!

No longer is Watts 100% black. It’s been embraced by a very mixed ethnically-diverse group, including Hispanics, Blacks, Whites, and Asians, all living life together, surviving together, and hoping for the future together. What else can anybody hope or want in this world? To be honest—nothing, it’s a matter of faith—some would call it blind faith—belief, hope, change, and a collision of reality and utopia.

Be that as it may, when you visit the Watts Towers; be sure to stop by the Watts Tower Art Center, go inside, and say hello.

Their current exhibit includes:

I’m not going to spoil the visit by showing you a this display from their vault; but I hope the slideshow below will inspire, as well as propel you to take a closer look, when you visit Watts:

Los Angeles’ Watts Towers

Lisa Newton — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:56:10 +0000

Topping over 99ft., the Watts Towers can be seen from miles away. Its cylindrical maze of spikes, wires, and design are unmistakable. Close up, its vast and spectacular, beauty–created over the course of 33 years by its enigmatic and artistic creator, Simon Rodia—is crystal clear.

Constructed from steel pipes and rods, wrapped with wire mesh, and coated with mortar, all found, and then used by Rodia, the Watts Tower’s were completely built by hand. Within the towers, its sculptures, and main spirals, lay one of the most creative and paradoxical cases of “urban art” yet created anywhere else in the world.

Throughout and within the Watts Towers turrets, walls, segue-ways, and elusive design–lie tens of thousands of pieces of beautiful enhanced porcelain, tile, and glass, which adorn it throughout.

Using mostly damaged pieces of Malibu Pottery, where Rodia worked for many years, the decorative edges also feature green glass from such famous names as 7 Up, Squirt, and Canada Dry. From 1921 to 1954, Rodia creatively “carved” his initials and street address (Can you find them?) throughout his sculpture.

In 1955, for reasons never known–perhaps due to the lack of the neighborhood‘s support, understanding, and appreciation of his masterpiece– Rodia moved, never to return to either Los Angeles, or his spectacular and magnificent edifice; forever etched into our city’s consciousness and beauty.

By that time, the Watts Towers was condemned by the city and slated for tear down. Literally saving this iconic ode to the inner-city borne by the artist’s own brilliance, two film industry professional’s stepped in. Both the actor and film editor, Nickolas King and William Cartwright, “purchased” the property for $3,000, and not only saved this masterpiece from destruction; but preserved it for current and future generation’s to view and appreciate. Indeed, it’s also a source of pride for the Watts area of Los Angeles, which has seen its share of “hard times.”

A long time coming, Rodia had his due:

Along with King and Cartwright, other local artists, architects, and community activists–and after a stress test of its structural integrity which met all City Building Code’s–the Watts Towers was saved from its near-death, and in 1990 the Watts Towers was commemorated and celebrated as it was designated a National Historic Landmark.

An amazing feature of the Watts Towers—among many which can be discerned and discovered at this incredible place—is the degree and kind of detail that its creator, Rodia, instilled into it. No detail or section–small or large– was a wasted effort by its sculptor.

From its humble and at times tumultuous past, and through its literal and metaphorical twists and turns, many turn of events ensued.

After barely surviving demolition by the City in 1959, the "The Committee for Simon Rodia’s Towers,” the organization which was the caretaker to preserve the Watts Towers upkeep and maintenance for 16 years—gave it back to the people. It was subsequently deeded to the State of California in 1978.

With its accompanying museum, art gallery, beautiful courtyard, community garden, and newly dedicated childrens center, when you’re Travelin’ Local in or around the Watts area, stop by and visit the Watts Towers. By Metro, its near the 103rd Street-Kenneth Hahn Station

Indeed, time spent at the Watts Towers is a must-do:

Along with sheer art appreciation, a visit here proffers a rare glimpse into one of Los Angeles’ most historic, beautiful, and fascinating landmarks and places of interest. Indeed, I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.