Giant Naked Woman Blocked From National Mall: Report

WASHINGTON, DC -- If you were hoping to see a 45-foot-tall nude woman loom over the National Mall next month, we've got bad news for you: the National Park Service has denied the permit.

The park service initially approved the structure, called R-Evolution, that would stand next to the Washington Monument and face the White House as part of the "Catharsis on the Mall" even scheduled for Nov. 9-12. However, organizers said in a blog post that the NPS had suddenly retracted the permit.

"The National Park Service sent us a letter tonight retracting their previously-issued variance, and denying us a permit to install R-Evolution anywhere on the National Mall," the post states. "We are evaluating our options including a legal challenge, however we no longer expect R-Evolution to be installed for Catharsis. ... The inconvenience and disappointment to you, our community, distresses us greatly. Please continue to check in as we learn more about our potential options. Rest assured that the donated funds will remain untouched until further notice."

The post went on to note that the NPS did approve other planned activities, "including the Temple and prayer wheel burn ceremony, Abraxas Dragon and Solar Beatz mutant vehicle stages, Water Temple Pyramid, and dozens of other artworks and offerings."

Organizers added: "We're stunned by this 11th-hour reversal by the Park Service."

National Park Service spokesman Michael Litterst said in a statement that while the NPS initially approved the placement of the statue, as well as more than 30 temporary structures, the service became concerned that the structures -- including the R-Evolution statue -- would interfere with the "public's use and enjoyment of the mall."

"The request to locate R-Evolution on turf near the Washington Monument for 91 days and the temple for 119 days is significantly in excess of the five-day time restriction set forth in the National Mall Turf Management Guidelines and would likely cause significant damage to and require replacement of the underlying turf and soil," Litterst said. "Additionally, the proposed nearly 48-foot height of the statue introduces a visual element that would diminish the property’s significant historic features by altering the setting and historic character of the National Mall landscape."

Image via NPS