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| L-R: Rosie Lee Hooks, Gerald Horne (seated), Ed Landler, Luisa Del Giudice, Ben Caldwell, Ojenke, Charles Dickson |
I Build the Tower gives insight into the life of Sabato Rodia, the creator of the world-renowned
Watts Towers. It is a demonstration of the power
of one person's contributions to society. The film shows how Rodia's vision,
strong will, and amazing work ethic has inspired and motivated people globally.
In addition, it chronicles his thoughts and steps in building the Watts Towers.
It also demonstrates a life of change and personal struggles, a love for
community, the desire to make something out of this world, and touches on
social injustice.
At the Q&A, Hooks opened by acknowledging
the parents and educators that were in attendance.
Ed Landler then gave his recollection of the first time
he learned of the Watts riots. While in college, he went to the beach with a friend and witnessed some black people being arrested by the
police.
Later in life, Lander felt that he wanted to be a part of telling real stories. After a period
of time living abroad studying in Europe, Landler returned to the United States
in the 1960's and began teaching. Said Landler, “I felt like there was something was
wrong while working with south central Los Angeles students.” This is what
motivated him to become involved with the Watts Towers Art Center. He along
with a partner decided to make a film that crystallized what people have to
live through in terms of being underprivileged and underserved.
In facilitating the panel, Hooks repeatedly encouraged the audience not to live in fear of the
Watts community. She instead encouraged them to visit the Watts Towers Art
Center. Hooks mentioned that
international visitors sometimes visit the Watts Towers more than the local
community because of the way the media portrays people getting shot while in
Watts. She affirmed that the people of Watts are rich in culture despite the negative
thoughts of the city. Hooks went further and shared that the Watts community is
challenged economically but not culturally. She also voiced that the people of
Watts want what everyone else wants, a better way of life, and opportunities
for their children to be the best that they can be.
Next Luisa Del Giudice gave her account of how she became
involved with the Watts Towers Art Center. As a director of the Italian
World History Institute who was planning a festival, she vaguely remembered Rodia being
Italian and that's how she decided to come on board. She said that a picture of Rodia
reminded her of a family member and of the working class. She stated ,“Rarely do
we celebrate immigrant workers. When I
listened to his story and his political ideas, I thought this was a story we
need to know more about and we need to spread this story. He had a lot to tell
us as an almost invisible member of society. He was a foreigner who lived
between two world wars and had experienced that hostility. He was a radical who
was concerned with how working people make ends meet. He worried about how the poor man could manage. He had ideas that were very inclusive despite what he had
suffered through. The fact that his monument translates into 'our town our
people' suggests that he desired to embrace his community a feeling that he
probably desired for himself.” Two of Del Guidice's favorite scenes in the film
where when Rodia was saying “Come in”
and was opening up and saying “Come in and enjoy. “ She ended with saying “I
hope that people can view the Towers as a festival, a celebration of festivity
of welcome, and open arms."
Hooks then informed audience that Rodia made the Towers
of recycled materials. He used something that was cast away and reused it to
make it something beautiful. She then introduced Gerald Horne. Horne stated
that “It's remarkable that events that sparked the Watts Riots half a century
ago are similar to the events of today, such as confrontations with
authorities.” He stated “Many of these causes from back then have still
maintained and some may argue that things may have gotten worse.”
Hooks then interjected and spoke on the Confederate flag
and how growing up in Alabama it invoked in her the fear of the KKK. She then
moved on to mentioning a current exhibition at the Watts Towers Art Center
titled 50 Years and I still Can't Breathe. Hooks next introduced Charles Dickson. Dickson affirmed that “What Rodia
felt about the spirit of community, I feel too.” He also asserted that “I grew
up in the Watts community and that is what the Watts Towers Art Center has
become is a part of a spiritual flow. That we are human beings but we are
spiritually connected together.” He then explained that “I am a self-taught
artist who has a divine gift that was given to me to share." The community
around the art center still shares, as did Rodia. Hooks then told the audience
that “The Watts Towers Art Center is a place that, just like Rodia, fights for
what it believes in.”
Up next was Ben Caldwell. He explained how he came from areas
of New Mexico and Arizona, deserts not only in climate but also of art, to Los Angeles, and was moved by seeing so many
artists in one place. He also enjoyed being introduced to a black community
that took him in, and also acknowledged that filmmaker Larry Clark had introduced him to
artists in California. “That was my path and that is the wonderfulness
of it that made me stay there,” he said. He also spoke on how he wanted to go to Los
Angeles to see the towers, but just thought it stood for a struggle. “I
had no idea of how much more to it there was.” Caldwell told his story of
seeing the violence of the Los Angeles police on people of color - he was taken
back at how police would throw down people on hot pavement.
Hooks then reflected on how the Watts Towers Arts Center
has elders that still teach and nourish the community. She then noted that
“It's part our heritage to take care of our elders.” She then welcomed Ojenke
as one of their master poets. Ojenke said “I believe that Rodia's message was
for us to shoot for the stars." A
touching poem called "Shoot for the Stars, Sabato" then was recited by Ojenke,
honoring Sabato Rodia's works. A verse that stood out was that “Sabato worked
like a hero.” After applause Hooks said “That is what Watts Towers Art Center
is: artists, some of the world's best students, and people who preserve Watts.
When you hear Watts don't think of us in a negative way; think of us in a
positive way.”
Someone in the audience asked what had become of the planters in Martinez. Landler answered that they are sitting in a garage in West Los Angeles and that they do need some conservation work on them. "When my partner in this project, Brad Beyer, died, the family asked if we could do something with them and if they were valuable," Landler said. “Yes, They are valuable. However, I learned so much about the art world - the reality of inequality comes there too. We have a letter for the Smithonian they have started a folk art department. Friends of the Watts family is seeking help to compensate the family who for eight years had stewardship of these pieces and to pay for the coservatation of these pieces as well. To have one of the Towers at the Smithonian would be America saying this is one of the great artists of America. We are still working on it.”
Another guest asked, “What is the concept in regards to
the planters being placed in Smithonian?" Landler said “One would be displayed
at the Smithsonian in D.C., and one would stay at the Watts Towers Art Center.
The planters are two of the largest pieces Rodia made outside of the Watts
Towers. Hooks then mentioned that they have a cross donated to the arts center
that was made by Rodia. She went onto say the center stores historic pieces
that come from the community.
Landler ended the discussion panel by providing
additional information on future discussions that will continue to take place
this month on the Watts Riots. Landler emphasized that “We can't separate the
necessity of community and how important the arts are.“ He declared “Community
existed long before money.”