The Awakening Sculpture: Washington's Giant

The Awakening sculpture is one of Washington's favorite non-political and non-historical sculptures, and many were upset when it moved from its former location at Hains Point in East Potomac Park. Today, the Awakening sculpture is a giant statue resting further away in National Harbor – still as dramatic and fascinating to visit.

The Awakening is a statue of a giant emerging from the earth, with his bearded screaming head, leg, foot and hand appearing to push out of the ground in a struggle. In reality it is five pieces of aluminum metal placed on the ground, but the overall effect is tremendous. One arm reaches 17 feet high, giving an idea of the giant's overall size, which is 70 feet. It's a frightening site and best not seen at night or on Halloween, but is fascinating and incredibly popular, especially when it was situated in East Potomac Park. The statue was given a temporary permit by the National Park Service, but even after the permit expired, the statue remained for almost 30 years.

Designed by J. Seward Johnson, Jr. for the 1980 International Sculpture Conference Exhibition, it remained at the site until 2008, when the artist sold the work and moved it to National Harbor. The work was then placed slightly differently to fix some issues of scale that occurred in the previous set-up, though it still appears the same to others familiar with the work.

People enjoy walking around the work of art, though it has nothing to do with Washington, history, or politics. Thus the Awakening has become a part of Washington's great collection of sculptures to visit. People opposed the move from Hains Point to National Harbor, since National Harbor is situated quite a distance away, because their beloved giant was such a part of East Potomac Park and the Washington favorites. In 2008 the public said good-bye to its giant as it shipped to National Harbor, where tourists still go to visit but fewer locals make it over there. However, it is fitting to the giant, who still struggles to emerge and be seen regardless of his location.
 

The Awakening sculpture Washington DC National Harbour