Masterpiece: , 1921 – 1954, by

Keywords: Space/Form, Balance, readymade, found objects, recyclable Grade: 5th Month: January Activity: Cooperative Towers TIME: 1-1/2 hours

Meet the Artist:

• Simon Rodia was born in 1879 in Naples, Italy and moved to the United States with his family as a young boy. • His heroes as a boy and young man were Galileo, Columbus and Buffalo Bill. • After living in Pennsylvania for a number of years, he and wife moved to Watts, in 1920. • He immediately began working as a tile setter for a local tile company and began collecting broken and discarded tiles as well as unused mortar, unsure of what he was going to do with these items at the time. • In 1921, he began work on what became his life’s work, the Watts Towers, located in Watts, California. • Using the mortar and broken tiles as well any discarded soda bottles or other post-consumer products; he began to form his great towers. Not satisfied with just the tiles and bottles, he rummaged through junk yards and scoured local California beaches for additional “ready-mades” to add to his project. • Over the course of the majority of Simon’s life, he worked on the towers (from 1921 – 1954) 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 with the tallest nearly 100 feet tall and four small towers. They consist of cement based mortar placed over wire and then covered with all of his “found” objects, including the broken tiles, empty soda cans and bottles and sea shells. • He died in 1965 and left behind a beautiful addition to the City of Watts that has inspired many artists to work with ready-mades, found objects and recyclables. • In 1977, the Watts Towers became a member of the National Register of Historical Places.

Terminology:

• Space – is the element that “surrounds” the object or us. • Form – is the substance that occupies space. The occupied space is called positive space and the unoccupied space is called negative space . Actual space may be 2-dimensional (decorative) or 3-dimensional (real). A sculpture is a 3-dimensional form. • Balance – is viewed in three forms: symmetrical or formal balance – where each side is identical to the other; asymmetrical or informal – no center line and design elements are only balance visually but not symmetrically; radial – design elements radiate from a center point as in the spokes of a wheel. • Readymade – any object that has been created by someone other than the artist that utilizes in their work, such as tile, wheels, hubcaps and so forth. • Found Object – any object that is created by someone other than the artist and is “found” by another artist, such as seashells, rocks, and other discarded items. • Recyclables – any object that can be recycled or reused for another purpose, such as glass, plastic, paper and some metals.

Possible Questions:

o What could have motivated the artist to build this structure? o What do you think of the overall appearance of the structure? How is it 3D? o How many different types the ready-mades, found objects and recyclables do you find in this structure? o Would a structure such as this fit into our community in the City of Chandler? Why or why not? o If you were to compose a piece of art consisting of ready-mades, found object and/or recyclables, what would you use? Tile, plastic, paper, cardboard, etc.? Why?

Activity: Cooperative Towers

Materials Needed: Assortment of sticks and straws such as: toothpicks, bamboo skewers, craft sticks, tongue depressors, dry twigs, coffee stir sticks, bendable straws, tapioca straws; assortment of readymades and recyclables such as: buttons, beads, various sized bottle caps, any other small readymade, found objects or recyclable items; heavy cardboard sheets (for the tower base); white glue (or glue-gun with complete adult supervision); masking tape, power strip (for glue guns).

Process:

1. This is a cooperative project; therefore, divide the class into groups of four to five students. 2. Place on each workstation containers holding the assortment of sticks and straws; readymades and recyclables. 3. Give each group a cardboard sheet, 2-3 bottles of glue and roll of masking tape. Have them writer their names or group name on the bottom of their base. 4. On a separate table-near an electrical outlet set up the heated glue guns. IMPORTANT: an ADULT will need to stay at this station and assist the students. 5. Have each group think about a scene, building, tower or sculpture to build. They may choose to each construct their own sculpture and arrange it on the cardboard or they may choose to design and construct a large structure that connects. Either way, they will need to discuss their ideas, design, size and the items they would like to use. 6. Using the glue and tape, begin attaching the sticks and straws to the cardboard base and begin constructing their piece. If they wish, they may have the adult use the glue gun. 7. Once their piece is constructed, in whatever form they have worked, they can then begin gluing the readymade, found objects and recyclable items into their towers. 8. Think up a name for the sculpture and write it on a card. Attach the card to the sculpture.

Example:

The Watts Towers

Art Masterpiece - Fifth Grade - Watts Tower - January

Today in art masterpiece your 5 th grader had the opportunity to study Simon Rodia and his work titled “Watts Tower”. In 1921, he began his life’s work, Watts Tower, located in Watts, California. The Watts Towers are comprised of three tall towers with the tallest nearly 100 feet tall and four small towers. They consist of cement based mortar placed over wire and then covered with all of his “found” objects, including the broken tiles, empty soda cans and bottles and sea shells Students discussed the terms space/form, balance, readymade, found objects, recyclable. Students were divided into groups to make a collaborative sculpture. Each group was asked to discuss and decide on a tower, sculpture or building to design. Ask your child about their creation!

Art Masterpiece - Fifth Grade - Watts Tower - January

Today in art masterpiece your 5 th grader had the opportunity to study Simon Rodia and his work titled “Watts Tower”. In 1921, he began his life’s work, Watts Tower, located in Watts, California. The Watts Towers are comprised of three tall towers with the tallest nearly 100 feet tall and four small towers. They consist of cement based mortar placed over wire and then covered with all of his “found” objects, including the broken tiles, empty soda cans and bottles and sea shells Students discussed the terms space/form, balance, readymade, found objects, recyclable. Students were divided into groups to make a collaborative sculpture. Each group was asked to discuss and decide on a tower, sculpture or building to design . Ask your child about their creation today!