On the grounds of UW-Madison's Camp Randall stands an empty pedestal, which will soon serve as the home of a significant installment of original art.
Thanks to a state initiative known as the \Percent for Arts"" program, a 48-foot tall, football-themed obelisk will stand on the corner of Breese Terrace and Regent Street in front of the stadium.
Donald Lipski, a UW-Madison alumnus who currently resides in New York City, designed the sculpture, according to Chris Manke, a member of the State Arts Board and the Percent for Arts Coordinator.
The work, entitled ""Nail's Tales,"" will consist of a tall column with a cluster of footballs at the top and will be installed during Homecoming weekend as a part of the festivities.
The $200,000 sculpture fulfills a Wisconsin requirement that state buildings, including university buildings, must have original artwork, according to Athletic Department spokesperson Justin Doherty.
""Two-tenths of one percent of the total costs of state buildings is mandated for the acquisition of artwork,"" Manke said.
Manke, who sat on the committee that facilitated selection of the sculpture, estimated it will cost $200,000.
According to Facilities Planning and Management Director Al Fish, the committee responsible for choosing the sculpture included members of the State Arts Board, local artists and representatives from the athletic department.
According to Fish, this committee reviewed proposals and selected an artist to complete the structure several years ago. ""The artist put together a proposal for the obelisk and the obelisk was selected,"" Fish said.
However, the design for the obelisk has drawn criticism from some. Wisconsin State Journal columnist Susan Lampert Smith bemoaned Lipski's design, suggesting the sculpture resembled an odorous and phallic Amorphophallus titanium plant.
Regardless of it's appearance, however, under the Percent for Arts program, Lipksi's sculpture will bring original art to football fans at Camp Randall.
