She said she respects Lipski but isn’t a fan of Nails’ Tales.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” she said. “I do not know that anybody would. It continues to be the same conversation as when it was first placed there. It doesn’t seem to fit very well.”

The concrete, steel, stone and resin sculpture uses the form of an ancient obelisk, similar to the Washington Monument, from which emerges a towering pile of footballs. Inspirations for the sculpture included the Camp Randall archway at Dayton Street and Randall Avenue, and the work intentionally seems unfinished, as if the stone might erode away leaving more footballs, Lipski has said. Nails was the nickname of Lipski’s college roommate, Eric “Nails” Nathan.

The piece was intended to project power and strength, Lipski said at the time of its unveiling. But critics said it brought to mind an ear of corn or male anatomy.

Nails’ Tales was commissioned by the Wisconsin Arts Board’s Percent for Art program. The state, as well as city committees will be consulted as concepts for the project evolve, Brown said. The artist will also be consulted, he said.

The university hopes to decide on a direction for the project in the spring, Brown said.

Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.