A towering sculpture that became a recognizable part of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' grounds was removed as the renowned national cultural center remains a focus of controversy during President Donald Trump’s second term.
Crews began removing "Blue," a 24-foot aluminum sculpture created by famed American postminimalist sculptor Joel Shapiro, on Wednesday, Sept. 2, USA TODAY previously reported. The National Park Service began implementing a temporary road closure early Wednesday to facilitate "Blue's" removal, according to a public notice.
The artwork, gifted to the center in 2019, depicts a human stick figure "poised in mid-kick," according to the Kennedy Center. It is located on the Upper Lawn of the center between the main
Kennedy Center building and a separate venue called "The Reach," which is used for arts education.
The Kennedy Center did not publicly announce the reason behind the statue's removal.
In a statement to USA TODAY Sept. 3, the center said it was "deeply grateful to Joel Shapiro for the years Blue has spent animating our campus and connecting visitors to his vision."
"We are honored to have been stewards of his vibrant work and a part of his enduring legacy," the statement continued, noting that gifted or loaned artworks are frequently deinstalled at art institutions across the world.
The future of the famed art piece by Shapiro, who died in June 2025, is unknown. However, the Joel Shapiro and Ellen Phelan Foundation may decide to reinstall the artwork elsewhere.
Pictures: Crews remove 'Blue' from Kennedy Center grounds
What’s happening at the Kennedy Center?
Blue's removal comes as the Kennedy Center is once again at the forefront of a political and cultural fight, with Trump continuing efforts to reshape the iconic Washington, DC institution.
Last month, the Kennedy Center's board again voted to put Trump's name on the building and rename its grounds the "President Donald J. Trump Plaza." But the move remains tied up in court and has not taken effect.
The board's decision came despite a federal judge previously ruling that the center's official name cannot be changed without Congress. Government lawyers argue the new signage would recognize Trump's role in renovating the building rather than formally renaming it.
The renovation plans have also taken a more dramatic turn. In a court filing in August, the Trump administration warned that the Kennedy Center could eventually face demolition if critical repairs aren't completed. The filing suggested replacing it with an outdoor amphitheater, though administration officials have downplayed the idea as a present plan.
The Kennedy Center's board voted again last month to close the facility for two years as part of renovations that are expected to exceed $250 million.
Contributing: Mike Stunson, USA TODAY
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch removal of 'Blue' sculpture at Kennedy Center amid naming fight
