The Helens of Troy, NY

Published by New Direction’s Pamphlet Series, Helens of Troy is a work of poetics, photography, and cultural history. Inspired by the mythic Helen, and her neighbor, a Helen of Troy, Bernadette Mayer met with and interviewed women named Helen living in the nearby city Troy, New York. The result was a book which toed the line of classical and everyday, poetry and storytelling, between myth and history.

To support this project, Mayer received a grant from Creative Capital, a venture philanthropy fund which awards funding to creatives and artists across the country. Mayer planned to continue the project in Troy, Missouri, but the work remains unfinished.

"Homer would glory in writing the story of the Helens of Troy" - from the musical Helens of Troy