This month’s calendar features the sculpture, Chthonodynamis, by Robert I. Russin, located in front of the lobby of the Department of Energy‘s James V. Forestal Building, a low-rise Brutalist office building in Washington, D.C. The Chthonodynamis sculpture is carved from a single block of Norwegian granite.

Chthonic is derived from Ancient Greek meaning earth or soil. Dynamis (dunamis) also comes from Ancient Greek and refers to power and potentiality. Together, they form Russin’s description of the worldwide hunger for energy (“Earth Energy”). The sculpture depicts energy inside a hollow sphere, with the figure of a man attempting to contain it.

The 10-foot sculpture was installed in 1992. Russin was an American sculpture from Wyoming who created a number of public sculptures throughout the United States.

A description plate provides an artist’s statement of the sculpture.

If you visit the Department of Energy, be sure to view the museum in the lobby which features the history and many artifacts from the Manhattan Project sites.

Be sure to download the December 2025 calendar featuring significant atomic events and atomic shots during the month.