The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., began dismantling Joel Shapiro’s towering “Blue” sculpture on Wednesday. The bright, blue stick‑figure—designed to look like a figure about to kick a ball—has been a fixture on the Center’s campus since its 2019 installation.
Local impact and artistic legacy
Center staff used a crane to carefully lower the sculpture’s arms and legs, while workers in high‑visibility vests supervised the operation. In an emailed statement, the Kennedy Center expressed gratitude to Shapiro, noting that “Blue” had animated the campus and connected visitors to his vision. The sculpture was also a mascot for National Dance Day events held near the REACH, a 2019 addition to the Center’s grounds.
Political backdrop
The removal is not merely an art‑maintenance decision. It occurs amid a pro‑Trump board’s ongoing lawsuit seeking the right to affix President Donald Trump’s name to the historic institution. The board’s broader agenda includes ambitious proposals such as demolishing the White House’s East Wing for a ballroom, erecting a triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, and redesigning a nearby golf course. Critics argue these plans aim to reshape Washington to reflect the current administration’s preferences.
Michael Sebastiani, a member of the activist group Hands Off the Arts, was on site as the sculpture was taken apart. Sebastiani called the removal “dismembered” and lamented the loss, saying the piece “brings joy and happiness” to visitors and serves as a welcoming fixture for those entering the city.
Future of the work
Shapiro, who passed away in 2025, left a legacy of breathing life into minimalist forms. The Joel Shapiro and Ellen Phelan Foundation has indicated that “Blue” may be reinstalled elsewhere, preserving the artist’s contribution to public art.
While the Kennedy Center’s statement highlighted stewardship of Shapiro’s work, the episode underscores the tension between cultural institutions and a Trump‑aligned board seeking to imprint a political legacy on national landmarks. The outcome of the board’s legal battle could set a precedent for how federal cultural sites are named and managed in the future.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
