"The Awakening" is a 100-foot statue of a giant embedded in the earth, struggling to free himself. It was created by J. Seward Johnson, Jr. and installed at Haines Point (East Potomac Park), Washington, D.C. in 1980 for the International Sculpture Conference Exhibition. It proved so popular, however, that 27 years after the event it still remains, even though the National Park Service admits that the "temporary permit" has long since expired.
In 2007, it was announced that it would be moved to the National Harbor in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside the District of Columbia, however, the artist, Johnson, has veto authority over the statue's final location. The sculpture sold for $750,000.[1]
In February 2008, the National Park Service announced the statue would be relocated to Prince George's County beginning February 20.[2]
