Kennedy Center removes 'Blue' sculpture as parkway lanes close

The Kennedy Center began removing Joel Shapiro’s 2019 outdoor Blue sculpture as part of routine deinstallation. Officials described the action as common practice, with the removal framed against broader Trump-era changes and ongoing renovations, though no specific reason for Blue’s removal was given. Temporary closures and traffic detours along Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway were planned, including northbound lane closures from early morning to about 1 p.m. Critics expressed disappointment, viewing Blue as a defining campus feature, while supporters framed the move as routine asset management amid renovations. Shapiro, who died in 2025, described Blue as a symbol of action and energy, and his foundation may relocate the piece to a new venue. The Kennedy Center said it will steward Shapiro’s legacy as the sculpture moves elsewhere.