Ousted Kennedy Center chairman buys jettisoned “Blue” sculpture

September 8, 2026

David Rubenstein was chairman of the Kennedy Center’s board until he was ousted during President Trump’s takeover. Amid the administration’s renovations, the abstract sculpture “Blue” was removed from the grounds without explanation, drawing a backlash from patrons who considered it a landmark.

A construction worker waves beneath a large blue sculpture shaped like a stick figure. Yellow caution tape is seen in the foreground.

The Joel Shapiro and Ellen Phelan Foundation/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; Photograph by Salwan Georges for The New York Times

Now, Rubenstein has purchased the dismantled sculpture and plans to display it elsewhere. →

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