The Kennedy Center has removed Joel Shapiro's 24-foot sculpture "Blue" from its grounds as part of President Donald Trump's broader initiative to reshape Washington D.C.'s public spaces. The removal occurs amid ongoing legal battles over reinstating Trump's name on the institution's facade.
The removal of the "Blue" sculpture from the Kennedy Center signifies a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape public spaces in Washington D.C., sparking debate and opposition from arts advocates.
The Kennedy Center has removed the 24-foot sculpture "Blue" from its grounds as part of President Donald Trump's ongoing efforts to redesign Washington D.C.'s public spaces. The sculpture, created by artist Joel Shapiro, had been on display since 2019.
The removal coincides with legal disputes initiated by Trump allies seeking to keep his name on the facade of the institution. The Kennedy Center stated it is grateful to Shapiro and honored to have been stewards of his work.
Shapiro described "Blue" as being "about action and risk and performance and energy. It’s a celebration of possibility." The sculpture was also the mascot for National Dance Day in 2019.
Michael Sebastiani, part of the group Hands off the Arts, which formed to push back against the Trump administration's changes at the Kennedy Center, expressed sadness over the sculpture's removal, calling it a "welcoming fixture."
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