In Bend, Oregon, a playful mystery has captured the imagination of residents and sparked national attention. Googly eyes, comically oversized and irresistibly jiggly, have appeared on several sculptures throughout the city.
This quirky trend has not only delighted locals but has also turned the city’s public art installations into an online viral phenomenon. While the googly eyes have sparked joy for many, they’ve also raised questions about the preservation of public art.
The Mysterious Transformation of Bend Art Sculptures
Bend's unique collection of public art sculptures, known as the “Roundabout Art Route,” includes various installations adorning the city's traffic circles. Recently, many of these sculptures have been humorously transformed with oversized googly eyes.
Notable pieces like the bronze deer sculpture and the "Phoenix Rising" statue—fondly nicknamed the “flaming chicken” by locals—are now sporting exaggerated, cartoonish expressions. The googly eyes have sparked a flood of reactions online.
On Facebook, one user shared, “My daughter and I went past the flaming chicken today and shared the biggest laugh. We love the googly eyes. This town is getting so stuffy. Let’s have fun!” Another commenter added, “I think the googly eyes on the deer specifically are a great look, and they should stay that way.”
Photos of the googly eyes Bend sculptures quickly spread across social media and were even featured on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The City of Bend’s playful sculptures became a hot topic nationwide, with media outlets highlighting the creative, though temporary, art alteration.
However, not everyone was amused with the viral art installation. Some critics argued that the city should focus its resources on addressing pressing issues like homelessness instead of spending money on removing googly eyes.
The Cost of Creativity and Preservation
The city has already spent $1,500 removing googly eyes from seven of the eight sculptures impacted. The removal process, which involves careful treatment of materials like bronze and steel, has been a significant expense. The Phoenix Rising sculpture, in particular, might require a complete repainting.
Despite these challenges, officials acknowledged that the original social media post about the googly eyes may have come across as heavy-handed. “There was no intent to be heavy-handed, and we certainly understand maybe how that was taken,” Mitchell said.
For many in the community, the googly eyes are part of a long-standing tradition of creatively interacting with the city’s public art. During the holidays, sculptures in Bend have been adorned with everything from wreaths to leis. These decorations are typically embraced by residents as a cheerful addition to the art.
One social media user summarized the sentiment of many: “I look forward to seeing the creativity of whoever it is that decorates the roundabouts during the holidays. Brings a smile to everyone to see silliness.”
Final Notes
The googly eyes phenomenon has brought Bend art sculptures into the spotlight, fostering both joy and important conversations about public art and community engagement. While the identity of the googly-eyed prankster remains a mystery, their work has undeniably left a mark on Bend’s cultural landscape.