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About Watts Towers

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About the Artist

John Outterbridge
Born 1933, Greenville
A Third Eye Dreaming, 2000
Boone Children's Gallery
LACMA West

What does this sculpture remind you of?

What local landmark would inspire you to create an artwork?  

Third Eye Dreaming is John Outterbridge’s interpretation of Watts Towers. ("Third Eye" refers to the mind's eye, or imagination.) Why did Outterbridge create a ship-shaped sculpture? The Watts Towers sit on a plot of land that is shaped like a boat and the towers form the masts of the boat.

John Outterbridge was also inspired by the beauty of Rodia’s Towers: they are covered with a mosaic of broken glass, shells, pottery, and found objects. Outterbridge, like Rodia, makes common materials beautiful.  

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