Kennedy Center Removes Joel Shapiro's 'Blue' Sculpture Amid Ongoing Venue Changes
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The Kennedy Center has taken down Joel Shapiro's 'Blue' sculpture, a move reflecting the institution's shifting priorities and the need to reevaluate the use of public spaces.
The Kennedy Center began dismantling the blue stick-figure sculpture known as 'Blue' on Wednesday, signaling a shift in the institution's approach to its campus. Designed by Joel Shapiro and installed in 2019, the abstract piece was removed by crane as staff in high-visibility vests oversaw the process, demonstrating the center's commitment to managing its property and adapting to new needs.
In an emailed statement, the center expressed gratitude to Joel Shapiro for the years 'Blue' spent on campus, claiming it 'animated our campus and connected visitors to his vision.' The center also stated it was honored to have stewarded the piece, though such statements often mask a broader trend of rotating art installations to maintain relevance and appeal.
Michael Sebastiani of Hands off the Arts commented, 'Art is what makes you think, and that's its role in life,' calling the sculpture a 'very welcoming fixture' and a mascot for National Dance Day events at the REACH addition. While some see value in these abstract installations, others question whether such works truly represent the values and traditions of the wider community.
Shapiro, who once described the piece as a celebration of 'action and risk and performance and energy,' died in 2025. The Joel Shapiro and Ellen Phelan Foundation may relocate the work elsewhere, as the Kennedy Center continues to make decisions that reflect its evolving vision for the use of public space.