The Watts Towers

I have a post up today at Romance Bandits (just click on the title of this post to go there) that's about different kinds of creativity. But it also includes a few cool facts and a picture of the Watts Towers (here's another one).

If you've never heard of or seen pictures of these fabulous works of art, get thee to Google!

I'd never heard of them either until the DH took me to see them about a dozen years ago. They were all hand built by Simon Rodia, a former tile-setter, over a period of about thirty years. Some of his neighbors were less than thrilled with his construction project, but many of the neighborhood kids would bring him broken bottles and plates to use in the fantastic mosaic designs he put all over the towers.

A few years ago there was talk within the city government of Los Angeles that the Towers were a "safety hazard" and should be torn down. Thank goodness someone recognized them for the unique and beautiful works of art they are. Okay, that's MY opinion!

So what do you think? Have you seen unusual pieces of art like this? Are they art or eyesore? Not in my neighborhood?