In 1980, J. Seward Johnson Jr. created "The Awakening," a 100-foot statue of a giant embedded in the ground, as if he was being swallowed by the Earth.
The statue consists of five separate pieces buried in the ground, giving the impression of a panicked giant trying to pull himself to the surface. The left hand and right foot barely protrude, while the bent left leg and knee jut into the air. The 17-foot right arm and hand climb above the observer while the bearded face, with the mouth in mid-scream, struggles to emerge from the surrounding earth.
It was created as a temporary piece, but turned out to be so popular that 27 years later it's still there, though the National Park Service says that its "temporary permit" has long expired.
Link: Gallery at DC Memorials | Wikipedia Entry - Thanks becky!
I have been trying to find link to news story (September 2007), I only have my own pictures