It’s not uncommon for people to get knee and hip replacements, but this replacement at National Harbor is a bit different. The world-renowned 1980 J. Seward Johnson, Jr. sculpture, The Awakening, just across the Potomac River in Prince George’s County, Maryland, needs a shin replacement.
The five-piece, 72-foot cast aluminum sculpture that comes out of the sand at the waterfront is one that lots of people have climbed on to snap selfies and family photos. All of that activity and lots of sunshine have taken a toll on the distressed giant’s shin.
Developer Milt Peterson bought The Awakening in 2008 and made it the signature piece of outdoor art at the waterfront district so that people could interact with art. Before National Harbor, people saw the sculpture at DC’s Hains Point.
National Harbor has committed over $70,000 to the giant’s repair and hired The Seward Johnson Atelier, the late sculptor’s foundation, to do the work.
The section of the leg that needs to be replaced is currently being cast. Once done, it’s expected that the shin replacement will take a week to complete in June. At that time, the statue will be closed to the public.
Feature image of The Awakening courtesy Bendure Communications, Inc.
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