Foggy Bottom in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Helios the Titan, 2006
Painted Steel
53"Χ57"Χ96"
| | Jules Olitski American, born Ukraine, 1922-2007 | |
In Greek mythology, Helios was imagined as a handsome god crowned with the shining aureole of the sun. He drove the chariot of the sun across the sky each day to the earthcircling Oceanus and returning through the world-ocean to his palace in the east at night. Homer described Helios' chariot as drawn by solar steeds (Iliad XVI.779). Later, Pindar described it as drawn by "Fire-darting steeds" (Olympian Ode 7.71). Still later, the horses were given fiery names: Pyrios, Aeos, Aethon, and Phlegon. As time passed, Helios was increasingly identified with Apollo, the god of light. The euqivalent of Helios in Roman mythology was Sol Invictus.
There are three "Titans" and three "Cyclops." All six in the series were created from cement mixers. The artist recycled industrial materials and transformed them into sculpture. The prominent circular cutout motif on Helios responds to the changing passage of the sun as it makes the days, months, and seasons at GW.
Erected by The George Washington University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Arts, Letters, Music
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Location. 38° 53.923′ N, 77° 2.944′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Foggy Bottom. It is on 22nd Street Northwest just north of G Street Northwest, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 22nd St NW, Washington DC 20052, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Americas Gate (a few steps from this marker); Carol Brown Goldberg (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Leonard A. Grimes (about 400 feet away); Aleksandr Pushkin (about 400 feet away); St. Marys Episcopal Church (about 400 feet away); Saint Mary's Episcopal Church (about 400 feet away); Veterans Memorial Park
Additional keywords. Greek mythology, Roman mythology, classical literature | Helios the Titan, 2006
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 292 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
