The Loss of a Popular Neighbor

I have lived in the Washington, DC metro area, in Virginia, for almost 38 years. Almost 28 years ago a huge five-piece public sculpture was installed in a park, Hains Point, not five miles from where I now live . The work of sculptor, J. Seward Johnson, the work is named "The Awakening" and in all those years we were practically neighbors, I had never visited. So when I recently became aware that the sculpture was being dug up on Wednesday, February 20 to be relocated to a commercial development in Maryland, I decided it was about time I paid a visit. On this past Sunday my partner and I made the short trip and I'm so glad we did.

The sculpture is a bearded giant that appears to be emerging from the bowels of the earth. It is constructed of cast aluminum and at its highest point, a fully extended right arm, stands 17 feet tall. At its widest distance it is 70 feet across. Very impressive!! And very accessible as you can see from the children crawling into its mouth and up its emerged leg to slide down as though it were a sliding board.

As I said, I'm really glad I was able to see this popular attraction before it was moved. Now I wonder if I should act more like a tourist and less like a resident before some other treasure disappears from right under my nose.

I hope you enjoy the photos.

Frank