PROVO -- A 20-ton landmark sculpture on the campus of Brigham Young University has been demolished after enduring nearly four decades of wear and tear.
But the Tree of Wisdom outside the Spencer W. Kimball Tower will be replaced by a replica scheduled for completion by this spring, the Deseret News reported.
The $21,766 sculpture, completed by Frank Nackos in 1975, was originally located near the Harold B. Lee Library. In 1996, it was uprooted to make room for a library expansion.
The abstract piece features 10 panels that stand erect, each weighing over two tons.
Nackos said the sculpture symbolizes a root system drawing upon nutrients of the Earth, which represent knowledge offered by the university. It also symbolizes "growing and blossoming out and becoming productive and serving others," he said.
Nackos acknowledges many students originally hated the structure but others appreciated its symbolism.
BYU has been looking into replacing the statue for a few years, spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said. The university realizes the sculpture is important to the student body and alumni, she said.
"It's an important icon to both our present students and past students," Jenkins said. "It's something people show their children when they return to the university."
Nackos' daughter, Alina Murdock, contacted BYU officials to see how they could restore it after visiting the campus with her sons four years ago.
"I think it's great because it's going to be the same sculpture but stronger materials," Murdock said. "But 36 years is a pretty good amount of time for it to last."
The replica will be built with stronger materials to withstand the effects of weathering and people climbing on it.
Nackos was a part-time faculty member when he entered the design into a competition open to all artists on campus.
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