City of Bend / Facebook
Since August, someone has been gluing googly eyes to several statues in the city of Bend, Oregon. The city warns that the adhesive used could damage the works.
The city of Bend, in the US state of Oregon, is the target of a fun prank: they were fixed bulging eyes in eight public art sculptures in the city’s roundabouts. Although the action pleased many residents, city officials expressed concerns about the cost and potential damage to the artwork.
Nicknamed “Bug-Eyed Bandit“, the culprit has been active since August and has transformed sculptures such as a family of deer, a two-meter sphere and the iconic red phoenix into extravagant images, with the placement of googly eyes.
While some viewed the action as harmless fun, the city highlighted the financial burden for remove the stickers without damaging the parts. “While the googly eyes placed on the city’s various pieces of art may make you laugh, it costs money to remove them carefully so as not to damage the art,” the city wrote this month on social media.
According to René Mitchell, Bend’s communications director, there were expenses 1500 dollars in removal efforts, while a sculpture, also tarnished by graffiti, requires $5,000 in repairs.
The joke provoked mixed reactions. On social media, residents expressed their joy at the light gesture. “We love the wide eyes. This town is getting so narrow-minded. Let’s have fun!” said one commenter. Others argued that funds spent on eye removal should be spent on other issues, such as homelessness and education.
Local businesses joined in on the fun, with establishments like Pine Tavern Restaurant and Unofficial Logging Co. to put up their own bug-eyed art, reports .
The match gained national attention after being featured on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” where the host playfully criticized the city’s reaction.
The city of Bend clarifies that, although it found the bulging eyes amusing, the adhesives can remove protective coatings, exposing metals to rust and corrosion. “We just want ensure that art endures and not be damaged”, emphasizes Mitchell.
Historically, Bend’s sculptures were decorated with themed objects in festivities, such as Santa hats and garlands, which the city also discouraged. Despite this, the police were not involved and no formal investigation is ongoing into the match.
