Kennedy Center removes 'Blue' sculpture from its grounds
AP News • • entertainment
Key Points:
- The Kennedy Center removed the sculpture "Blue," a tall blue stick figure by Joel Shapiro installed in 2019, amid ongoing changes linked to President Donald Trump's influence during his second term.
- The removal is part of a broader effort by a Trump-aligned board to reshape the Kennedy Center and Washington, including attempts to add Trump's name to the institution and other controversial projects.
- Joel Shapiro described "Blue" as a celebration of action, risk, and possibility; following his death in 2025, the sculpture may be relocated through the Joel Shapiro and Ellen Phelan Foundation.
- The Kennedy Center expressed gratitude for Shapiro's work and its legacy, while critics like Michael Sebastiani of Hands off the Arts lamented the sculpture's removal, highlighting its cultural significance and role in events like National Dance Day.
- The dismantling of "Blue" has sparked pushback from arts advocates who view the sculpture as an important and welcoming artistic fixture in the city.
