The National Park Service deinstalled Joel Shapiro’s 24-foot-tall sculpture “Blue” from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, according to local reports. Crews arrived before dawn to wrap, disassemble, and hoist the painted aluminum artwork off its grounds. The removal of the 2019 installation sparked immediate condemnation from artists and activists who characterized the action as vandalism of the nation’s artistic treasures.
Deinstallation of Joel Shapiro’s “Blue” at the Kennedy Center
According to the Washington Post, the Joel Shapiro and Ellen Phelan Foundation will ultimately decide where the artwork is installed next. The sculpture originally stood as one of 10 inaugural visual art pieces featured when the Kennedy Center opened its 4.6-acre REACH campus. The painted aluminum structure depicts rectangular appendages shaped like arms and legs in the artist’s signature stick-figure style. The late artist passed away at age 83.
The Kennedy Center did not provide a reason or advance notice regarding the removal. However, the National Park Service issued a street-closure notice earlier in the week indicating the teardown would finish by Wednesday afternoon. The removal project triggered major traffic delays along the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway.
Public Reaction and Artistic Significance
Artists and activists quickly condemned the National Park Service for dismantling the prominent sculpture. Critics labeled the removal an example of continued vandalism targeting the nation’s artistic treasures. When the work debuted, the Kennedy Center described it as poised in mid-kick, turning the surrounding landscape into a giant stage as it prepared to pirouette across the grass.
Did you know? Joel Shapiro’s angular sculptures are featured in several Washington, DC museum collections, including the National Gallery of Art, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, where his 1993 work “Loss and Regeneration” sits outside the front doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the sculpture removed from the Kennedy Center?
The National Park Service deinstalled the sculpture without providing a public reason or advance notice, though street-closure notices indicated the removal process would conclude by Wednesday afternoon.
Who owns “Blue” (2019) and where is it going?
According to the Washington Post, the Joel Shapiro and Ellen Phelan Foundation will decide the future location for the deinstalled artwork.
What is “Blue” made of?
The 24-foot-tall sculpture is crafted from painted aluminum and features rectangular appendages in the artist’s recognizable stick-figure style.
Stay Informed on Cultural Heritage News
Never miss a story on public art preservation and museum updates. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for breaking reports.
Worth a look