Talk:Watts Towers

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Antoni Gaudí

Are these towers inspired by Antoni Gaudí? Seems like it to me. If so, the article should mention that. Jacoplane 00:42, 6 December 2005 (UTC)[reply]

The creator, Simon Rodia, was from Italy. I've never heard of him having said that he found inspiration from other artists or architects. He was just plain inspired, so far as I know. -Willmcw 01:51, 6 December 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Even if there's no direct link between the two, the similarities are striking. I added mention of him and Sagrada Familia to a new "See also" section in the interest of connecting related information. —BenFrantzDale 23:02, 7 December 2005 (UTC)[reply]

There's an article in the Smithsonian's Folklife Annual (1985) titled "Watts Towers and the Giglio Tradition" that draws parallels to processional festivals in Italy. It credits Rodia as telling a neighbor that he derived his ideas from things he saw in Italy when he was young, though he does not specify exactly what.—Indigone

Shukhov Tower

Look at the similarity between the Watts Tower and this radio tower which was built roughly at the same time. Accountable Government 00:50, 16 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The introduction should discuss whether the towers are artistic, architectural, utilitarian, etc. (What are they?)

An act of love from what I understand, a rumor in L.A. was that Rodia built them as a monument to his wife who had passed away, but I'm not sure if that is verifiable. I think some people have called this kind of work "naive" art but I'm uncertain if that applies, perhaps we need a new term for this kind of work. AnimalNorth (talk) 09:23, 14 March 2010 (UTC)[reply]

"Nuestro Pueblo" deleted

I'm not sure why Simon Rodia would have called his towers by a Spanish name when he was Italian. At any rate, according to the L.A. City Web page at [1], the official name is Towers of Simon Rodia. Yours for accuracy, GeorgeLouis (talk) 04:17, 13 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

"Nuestro Pueblo" Deletion Problematic

But,George, the facts are that Rodia lived in El Paso for some years and also was married to two women who immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico. It does not seem a stretch to believe that he was fluent in Spanish. Also, "Nuestro Pueblo" is inscribed in the towers' cement in at least two points, presumably by Rodia. I think your deletion is problematic.98.218.140.177 (talk) 00:35, 23 September 2009 (UTC)Peter http://www.victoriansecrets.net/watts.htm[reply]

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

The towers were definitely in this game. I don't see it in References in pop culture. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.140.220.192 (talk) 20:52, 1 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The Watts Towers Inspiration

Simon Rodia was inspired by the Gigli (sp?) Festival in Italy... a town near his hometown. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Reverdia (talk • contribs) 04:25, 12 March 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I placed a mention of Edward James in the people and places section. Although I don't have references in front of me Edward James, as I recall from a documentary film about James, involved with the early preservation of Watts Towers. Jame's later work in Mexico reflects no shortage of inspiration from Rodia. I'm not sure though if James should be mentioned in the body of the article, with out a reference in print, or by someone who has seen the film recently and can link the reference. AnimalNorth (talk) 09:28, 14 March 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Safety

Is it safe to visit the Watts Towers during the day? I am traveling to California soon and would like to see them. From what I've read, some people say it is safe during the day, but a Watts resident who posted a comment on the LA Times' website said it was dangerous all the time. I'd like to have a second opinion esp. from any current/former Watts residents. -Anon. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.192.58.206 (talk) 02:22, 19 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Damage

Just visited the Towers today (1-2-12) and on the plaques there is NO mention of the Northridge quake--it's the Sylmar quake that's mentioned twice! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.60.205.36 (talk) 04:48, 3 January 2012 (UTC)[reply]

2014 May The "DAMAGE" section should be rewritten, is obviously inaccurate based both on information such as the above and conflicting dates that suggest it was closed to the public for almost 20 years. According to this section of the article, Watts Towers was closed due to a quake in 1994, reopened 2001; closed due to vandalism 2000, reopened 2011. Something is wrong here. Can someone contact a knowledgeable official or caretaker? Most of the links are still good, including http://www.wattstowers.us.htm GeeBee60 (talk) 12:53, 7 May 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Construction

Why it took 33 years for the "Watts Towers" to be completed. Why did took a long time for it?