Bend, Oregon’s Googly-Eyed Art Caper Goes Viral
A wave of playful mischief has swept through Bend, Oregon, leaving residents and the internet in stitches. Public art sculptures throughout the city’s renowned “Roundabout Art Route” have mysteriously sprouted googly eyes, transforming serious artistic installations into whimsical spectacles.
The city’s social media accounts showcased the unexpected additions, featuring photos of googly eyes adorning everything from a sculpture of two deer to a large sphere. The anonymous artist(s) remain unidentified, adding to the mystery and charm of the situation.
The city’s response to the unexpected artwork has been a mix of amusement and practicality. “While the googly eyes placed on the various art pieces around town might give you a chuckle, it costs money to remove them with care to not damage the art,” the city stated in its social media posts.
The city’s Facebook post ignited a lively online discussion. One commenter shared, “My daughter and I went past the flaming chicken today and shared the biggest laugh,” referring to the “Phoenix Rising” sculpture. “We love the googly eyes. This town is getting to be so stuffy. Let’s have fun!”
Another user expressed their approval, stating, “I think the googly eyes on the deer specifically are a great look, and thay should stay that way.” However, other comments highlighted the city’s budgetary concerns, suggesting that resources should be directed towards more pressing issues like homelessness.
Bend’s communications director, Rene Mitchell, clarified the city’s position to the Associated Press. She explained that while the city typically allows seasonal decorations like Santa hats and leis to remain, the googly eyes present a unique challenge due to the adhesive used. “We really encourage our community to engage with the art and have fun. We just need to make sure that we can protect it and that it doesn’t get damaged,” Mitchell said.
The story quickly gained traction, appearing in various news outlets and even earning a spot on CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Mitchell acknowledged that the city’s initial post was perhaps misinterpreted, highlighting the unexpected ripple effects of a simple act of playful artistic expression.
Bend, Oregon, Faces $1,500 Cleanup After Googly-Eyed Art Vandalism
The city of Bend, Oregon, is facing an unexpected holiday expense after a recent wave of festive vandalism. Someone adorned several public art sculptures with googly eyes, resulting in a $1,500 cleanup bill for the city.
City officials, while acknowledging the playful intent, emphasized the damage caused. “There was no intent to be heavy-handed and we certainly understand maybe how that was taken,” a city spokesperson said. “We own this large collection of public art and really want to bring awareness to the community that applying adhesives does harm the art. So as stewards of the collection, we wanted to share that on social media.”
The cost covers the removal of the googly eyes from seven of the eight affected sculptures. The city has begun the process of repairing the damage, which includes various metal types such as bronze and steel. One sculpture, “Phoenix Rising,” may require a complete repaint, according to the spokesperson.
While the city focuses on repairs, the incident has sparked a divided community response.some residents viewed the googly eyes,along with other holiday decorations placed on the sculptures,as a charming addition to the festive season.
“I look forward to seeing the creativity of whoever it is that decorates the roundabouts during the holidays,” one social media commenter noted. “Brings a smile to everyone to see silliness.”
The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between public art thankfulness and the potential for unintended consequences, even when the actions are meant to be lighthearted.
