Ousted Kennedy Center Chair Rescues "Blue" Sculpture After Trump Removal

A prominent piece of public art, the towering “Blue” sculpture by the late Joel Shapiro, has found a new home thanks to billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein. Rubenstein, who was controversially ousted as the Kennedy Center's chairman by former President Donald Trump last year, has purchased the artwork, which was abruptly dismantled and removed from the center's grounds just last week.

The 24-foot-tall, electric blue stick-figure sculpture, previously a familiar sight at the Kennedy Center, is now slated for installation at the Sculpture Garden of the National Gallery of Art. This swift acquisition by Rubenstein marks a significant turn for a sculpture whose removal had sparked quiet concern among art enthusiasts.

Rubenstein's departure from the Kennedy Center's board in 2023 was a contentious event, with Trump famously stating that Rubenstein didn't share his “Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.” Following Rubenstein's ousting, Trump appointed loyalists to the board, reportedly with ambitions to rename the venue after himself and push through multi-million dollar renovation projects in Washington, D.C. The Kennedy Center itself made no prior announcement about the sculpture's removal, with only a National Park Service street closure notice hinting at the early morning teardown.

Joel Shapiro's “Blue,” installed in 2019, was designed to depict a figure in mid-kick, symbolizing a “celebration of possibility.” The artist passed away last year, making the sculpture's preservation even more poignant. Rubenstein, a major arts donor and co-founder of private equity firm The Carlyle Group, stepped in to ensure this significant piece of public art continues to be accessible to the public, albeit in a new, high-profile location.

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