An unnamed person has been affixing enormous googly eyes on public artworks in Bend, Oregon, which has caused locals to be both amused and alarmed.
The humorous embellishments can be seen on at least eight sculptures along the city’s Roundabout Art Route, such as Brandon Zebold’s “Orb I” sphere and Joe Halko’s “Big Ears” deer sculpture.
City officials are concerned about possible harm to the artworks, even though many locals find the prank amusing.
“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 wrote this month on social media.
A family of deer appearing genuinely lost in the headlights; a six-foot sphere that was animated and given a whimsical touch; and a red phoenix, one of the earliest installations, which assumed a confused expression, were among the installations that were struck.
The googly eyes’ adhesives may damage the sculptures‘ surfaces, necessitating expensive removals. Seven of the eight impacted statues have had their eyes removed, costing the city about $1,500 thus far.
Rene Mitchell, the city’s director of communications, stressed the need to protect public art and asked citizens not to apply adhesives to the sculptures.
She said one piece, “Crossroads,” a circular steel sculpture that shows a group of crossing logs, was also graffitied and would cost $5,000 to fix.
While seasonal decorations like wreaths and Santa hats are usually accepted, she pointed out that anything that needs adhesives endangers the integrity of the artwork.
This amusing behaviour has received widespread attention and was highlighted on CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” City officials are urging the people to think about the preservation of public art and the expenses involved in restoring these pieces, notwithstanding the humour.
