PHOTOS: Kennedy Center disassembles 'Blue' sculpture from its grounds
PBS • • 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 the Trump administration's influence.
- The removal is part of broader efforts by the Trump-aligned board to reshape the Kennedy Center and Washington, including legal battles to add Trump's name to the institution and other controversial projects.
- Joel Shapiro, who passed away in 2025, created "Blue" to symbolize action, risk, and possibility; the sculpture may be reinstalled elsewhere through his foundation.
- The removal sparked criticism from arts advocates like Michael Sebastiani of Hands off the Arts, who lamented losing a welcoming cultural fixture and a mascot for National Dance Day.
- The Kennedy Center expressed gratitude for Shapiro's legacy and their role as stewards of his work during the sculpture's time on campus.
