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by Derrick Bean
COE Public Affairs Writer
In 1989, sculptor Bruce White, then a professor at Northern Illinois University School of Art, created what has become the symbol of the College of Engineering with a sculpture named the “Helios Trail.”
White, 76, says the sculpture and its title were inspired by Greek mythology. “I was trying to do something that expressed the mission of the college…something going for the future. And, you know, the myth of the Helios leaving a trail – the sun god left a trail of light across the sky. I wanted something shooting into space, which seemed perfect space age.”
The sculpture was installed on Sept. 22, 1989. It was intended to express the spirit of the college, and it looks livelier than ever in its new location. The 40-foot tall stainless steel monument was removed from its base in the engineering building’s secluded courtyard in 2007 in preparation for construction of the Marvin I. Danto Engineering Development Center. It has since found a new home, as well as a new life, in front of the new Danto Center.
“I think it’s wonderful that they moved it,” says White. “That one wall with the curvature; it fits in very well. I’m very pleased with where it’s located now. It has a nice, symbolic feeling to it.”
Speaking from his studio in Dekalb, Ill., the same industrial warehouse where the figure was sculpted two decades ago, White recalls how he won the College of Engineering’s national contest. After submitting his idea, White’s small metal sculpture model made it to the final four where it won over the judges.
With planning included, the Helios took six months to craft, he says. It was constructed, laid out and welded on the floor of his warehouse. Upon completion, it was lifted onto a flatbed truck, carried to Detroit, lifted across the building and planted by a large crane onto its base in the engineering courtyard.
White likens the process behind his creation to that of an engineering student bringing a new design to life. “Much like any engineering project, it started with an idea and a sketch. But, of course, you have to make changes to make sure that it’s feasible to build and within the budget,” White says without revealing his commission for the project as he wants the costs to remain private.
His intentions are to make people connect with his sculptures. “A lot of my art is emotion,” says White. “You feel the idea through the form. The sculpture expresses shooting into space, reaching for the sky.”
The courtyard is gone, but the sculpture is back with all of its symbolism intact. It has inspired the logo atop every official document or material relating to the College of Engineering for much of the past 20 years.
“It’s very exciting when an idea takes form – a visual signature rather than a written signature,” says White. “It becomes a symbol of an idea...a unique expression.”
During his 20-year tenure as a professor at Northern Illinois University, White was more than happy to share his experiences. “If students were interested, I would hire them to work for me," he says. “Many of them have gone on to make a name for themselves, and now they’re my colleagues – my competition.”
About eight years ago, White traded in his teaching responsibilities for more time to concentrate on his sculpture.
White says retirement is not on his radar: “I just keep working. Right now, I’m working on a piece for Miami, Florida. I’m in very good health. I’m going to keep going until I can’t anymore physically. Many great artists worked until they couldn’t do it any longer physically.”
Several years ago while on vacation, Brian Geraghty, MSME’72, noticed that a 2002 White sculpture named “Fire Monument” in Jacksonville, Fla. bore a striking resemblance to the Helios Trail. Both sculptures are metal, spear-like in form with three sides, leaning toward the sky, and gradually taper to a point at its apex.
When asked about the two similar looking pieces, White says he wouldn’t re-create any piece. In both of these cases he chose to put the sculptures on an angle as opposed to a typical straight-up-and-down piece, he says. “I like the upward lean idea which gives them both a kind of energy,” he adds. “I just like that effect instead of a static vertical look – like a body in action."
In “Helios” the jagged edge continues the full length, diminishing upward like the trail a modern jet leaves in the sky. In the Jacksonville “Monument” the jagged edges surround the lower portion of the primary form which then appears to break through and shoot upward, indicating the emergence of the new city rising from the ashes of the old.”
White’s body of work is quite extensive and varied. He says he does not have a favorite among his many sculptures (nearly 60 of which are featured on his website: www.brucewhitesculpture.com). “I don't really rank them. I never think in those terms. I never think that one is my favorite. I just look forward to the next challenge and hope to surprise myself.”
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Helios Trail: Still a Trailblazer 20 Years Later
