The abstract sculpture "Blue," formerly displayed on the grounds of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, has been acquired by billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein, according to persons familiar with the transaction. Rubenstein, a prominent donor to the arts and former chairman of the Kennedy Center’s board, purchased the piece from a foundation dedicated to its late artist, Joel Shapiro. The sculpture is expected to be relocated to the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art, where Rubenstein currently serves as chairman of the board of trustees.
Standing 24 feet tall and crafted to resemble a stick-figure in mid-kick, the sculpture had been installed in 2019 at the Reach, an extension of the Kennedy Center partially funded by Rubenstein. The aluminum piece, painted vivid blue, was originally gifted by Shapiro for the Reach’s opening and intended as a permanent site-specific installation celebrating joy, freedom, and creativity. The sudden removal of "Blue" from the Kennedy Center grounds last week occurred without prior announcement or explanation, prompting inquiries and discontent from patrons who viewed the sculpture as a landmark overlooking the Potomac River.
Following its removal, the sculpture was transferred to the artist’s foundation, overseen by Shapiro’s daughter, Ivy Shapiro. She has not publicly commented on the sale. Prior to his death in 2025, Joel Shapiro reportedly would have been "alarmed" by the deinstallation, emphasizing its significance as one of his most important site-specific commissions.
The Kennedy Center is currently undergoing controversy related to a planned two-year, $250 million renovation endorsed by President Donald Trump, who succeeded Rubenstein as board chairman after reshaping the board with his supporters. Despite legal obstacles—including a federal judge’s injunction against the closure and the inclusion of Trump’s name on the center’s official building title—Center officials have intensified efforts to proceed. They cite infrastructural damage, such as a new hole in the Grand Foyer ceiling attributed to recent storms, to bolster their case for shutting the main building while keeping the Reach open to uphold the legal requirement of maintaining an active memorial to President Kennedy.
Requests for comment from representatives of the National Gallery of Art and the Kennedy Center were not immediately returned. The timeline for the public unveiling of "Blue" at its new location remains unclear. Meanwhile, the debate surrounding the Kennedy Center’s renovation and leadership persists, encapsulating broader tensions over arts funding, institutional governance, and the preservation of cultural landmarks.