All articles tagged with #joel shapiro
Philanthropist David Rubenstein has purchased the abstract sculpture 'Blue' for over $2 million after it was dismantled from the Kennedy Center. The piece, created by late artist Joel Shapiro, will be moved to the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden, where Rubenstein serves as chairman of the board of trustees.
David Rubenstein, the billionaire philanthropist ousted as Kennedy Center chairman in early 2025, has purchased Joel Shapiro’s 24-foot sculpture 'Blue' from the artist’s foundation. The piece, removed from the Kennedy Center grounds on September 2, 2026, will be displayed in the Sculpture Garden of the National Gallery of Art, where Rubenstein serves as a board trustee.
The Kennedy Center removed the 24-foot sculpture 'Blue' by Joel Shapiro on September 2, 2026, as part of a broader renovation and rebranding effort under President Trump. While the center cited standard deinstallation practices, critics and former staff argue the removal is part of a political push to replace existing art with new works for the upcoming reopening.
The Kennedy Center has removed the 24-foot sculpture 'Blue' by Joel Shapiro from its grounds. The piece, installed in 2019 as part of the The REACH expansion, was deinstalled at the request of the artist's foundation. Local officials expressed sadness over the loss, noting its role as a welcoming fixture and mascot for National Dance Day.
The Kennedy Center removed Joel Shapiro's 24-foot sculpture 'Blue' from its grounds on September 2, 2026, as part of a broader renovation and rebranding effort under President Donald Trump's influence. The removal required a temporary closure of Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway by the National Park Service. While the center described the move as a standard 'deinstallation,' critics and former staff linked it to Trump's push to replace existing art and add his name to the building, sparking legal and public controversy.
The Kennedy Center removed Joel Shapiro's 24-foot sculpture 'Blue' from its grounds on September 2, 2026, amid a broader overhaul of the institution. While the Center described the deinstallation as routine and requested by the artist's foundation, critics and former staff link the move to President Trump's efforts to replace existing art and rename the venue. The removal occurred as the administration threatened to demolish the building if renovation plans were blocked, highlighting tensions between public art preservation and political control.
The Kennedy Center removed the outdoor sculpture 'Blue' by Joel Shapiro on Wednesday morning. The piece, installed in 2019, was taken down without prior public notice. The move follows a series of leadership changes and renovations at the institution under President Trump’s influence.
Workers began removing Joel Shapiro’s sculpture 'Blue' from the Kennedy Center grounds on September 2, 2026, as part of a broader renovation and rebranding effort led by President Donald Trump. The National Park Service temporarily closed Rock Creek Parkway to facilitate the removal. While the Kennedy Center described the move as standard practice, critics and former staff argue it is part of a political purge of existing art to make way for new installations favored by the administration.
The Kennedy Center is scheduled to remove Joel Shapiro’s landmark sculpture 'Blue' from its campus on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. A National Park Service notice indicates that the northbound Rock Creek Parkway will close to facilitate the removal of the artwork, which was installed in 2019 as part of the center’s Reach expansion. This action is part of a broader effort to remake the arts venue under the stewardship of President Donald Trump. The removal follows recent controversies regarding the center’s renaming and significant renovation plans.