Trigadilly, Steel sculpture at Union Center Plaza, Washington, D.C., US
Trigadilly is an abstract steel sculpture on Union Center Plaza made up of curved, interconnected elements painted in red, blue, and yellow. The pieces appear dynamically arranged in relation to each other, lending the plaza a modern visual focal point.
The sculpture was created in 1990 by American artist Chas Coburn and commissioned for installation at the CNN building. It resulted from collaboration with Zenith Gallery and the architectural firm Greenebaum & Rose Associates.
The sculpture represents the intersection of mathematical concepts and artistic expression, incorporating elements of relativity, crystallography, and chaos theory into its design.
The sculpture sits in the open plaza at First Street NE and can be viewed from outside since it occupies public space on the grounds. It is visible from various angles around the plaza and easy to access for visitors exploring the neighborhood.
The structure balances its substantial steel weight on minimal concrete contact points, underscoring the engineering feat behind its abstract form. This physical challenge is part of what makes the construction so unconventional, even though visitors typically notice only the artistic design.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
