The sculpture was initially met with controversy.[9] Before the Picasso sculpture, public sculptural artwork in Chicago was mainly of historical figures.[3] One derisive Chicago City Council alderman, John Hoellen, immediately proposed replacing it with a statue of Ernie Banks,[10] and Chicago publicist and science fiction writer Algis Budrys erected a giant pickle on the proposed site.[11] There was speculation on the subject, which has ranged from a bird, or aardvark to Picasso's pet Afghan Hound, a baboon head,[12] or the Egyptian deity Anubis.[13]
Newspaper columnist Mike Royko, covering the unveiling of the sculpture, wrote: “Interesting design, I’m sure. But the fact is, it has a long stupid face and looks like some giant insect that is about to eat a smaller, weaker insect.” Royko did credit Picasso with understanding the soul of Chicago. “Its eyes are like the eyes of every slum owner who made a buck off the small and weak. And of every building inspector who took a wad from a slum owner to make it all possible.... You’d think he’d been riding the L all his life.” [14]