Seward Johnson’s ‘Awakening’ in EUR
It’s always nice when people let me know about cool and interesting things in town that would be good to photograph, so I happily went to EUR this weekend after Omino71 let me know there was a giant sculpture set up in Piazza Marconi. He was definitely not kidding about the size of the scultpure….it was enormous! As I approached the square, the first thing I saw was a huge silver arm and hand reaching into the sky. I then saw the face, other hand, thigh, and foot all sticking out. Really incredible I thought, just like a giant colossus rising from the ground. Even more interesting because Piazzale Marconi is a huge rotary so the traffic swirled continuously around the sculpture. I wonder how stunned first time viewers of it were when they whizzed by in their cars.
I was not the only photographer that day. In the 30 minutes I was there I saw two other photographers with more professional looking cameras, as well as about four or five people shooting photos with their mobile phones. I looked at the sign on the edge of the grassy patch where the sculpture was buried and it read Seward Johnson, “Awakening.” I looked him up when I got home and his story is quite interesting, so I suggest you click the link and read up on him. It was also interesting to learn that this sculpture was created in 1980 and was located just outside of Washington DC for over 28 years. The thing I’m still not clear on is if this is a copy of the 70 foot statue or the original that has been flown over for installation. I found out via the blog Lazio Segreto, which also has a video of the installation, that it should be there for about two months, so head over while you can.
I love the top photo and how it looks like the giant’s hand is about to crush the buildings in EUR. I love the second for the contrast with the obelisk, which was built in 1959 and celebrates the life of Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian inventor known for his work with radios.
Oh wow, that is an awesome sculpture!
Oh my god. That statue was located in one my favorite spots in DC.
It's located in the city's Hains (sp) Park looking out into the Potomac.
Your photos really captured the scale of this piece. Incredible.
Hi there! Do you know that this sculpture is "running" up and down italy (and not only probably) in a special tour?
The same was in Siracusa (South Sicily) into Ortigia's Square this august.
Cheers
Dear Jessica thanks for reading Lazio segreto.
I discovered just today your old article with the citation.
Congratulation for the impressive pictures of Seward Johnson installation still at the Eur.
Follow again my post to discover new exciting place or event.
Rolando
Il primo scatto è veramente magnifico!
Wow, if it's on tour I really hope it'll land in Verona too… I like the contrast of the second shot but the first one is definitely my fav.
The Awakening used to be located at Hains Point in Washington, DC. It was moved a year ago to the new National Harbor. http://dc.about.com/b/2008/02/20/the-awakening-sculpture-moves-to-national-harbor.htm
I guess it would be spending part of the winter in Rome. It is kind of cool to see it some place else.
The first one is my favorite too!
NYC – As Luis said, the sculpture got moved a few years ago when Johnson sold it. I'm thinking that this is a second casting though, as I read of at least one other casting online.
Simone – Yes, later online I read about the one in Siracusa as well! I wonder if it will travel elsewhere besides Rome. Valeria, can you imagine it set up next to the Arena in Venice?
Amata – Grazie mille! Il tuo blog e' bello!
Nice photo. leaves alot to the imagination…
It was incredible to drive by it the first time, try to figure it out and not have an accident! My kids now ask to pass it on the way home from school. It's quite the amazing sculpture and definitely an interesting place to have it displayed!
I have been wanting to see this statue in person ever since I heard about it mentioned in a book I was read awhile back. I was thinking I'd swing by the National Harbor (only about an hour away from me), but after reading this…..I guess not…hahaha. I'm actually kind of disappointed that I won't get to see it in person any time soon, but hope everyone near it gets to experience the feeling I would no doubt have had. Beautiful pictures; thank you for sharing!