Rodia

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Sabato "Simon" Rodia

Spent 30 years building the Watts Towers, which he called Nuestra Pueblo.  These lovely structures are located in one of the worst crime areas in the U.S.







A masterpiece of engineering and found art.






Cement and re-bar.





The ultimate accolade.





There is no such thing as "outsider" art.





After 30 years, tired of the continuous hassle with L.A. and the neighbors, Rodia moved in with his sister and never returned to the towers.  When the city tried to tear them down the crane broke at 10,000 lbs. of pull.   These things have influenced modern architectural safety.





Only in America.  Arrivederci, Signore!

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