Googly Eyes on Bend’s Sculptures Spark Laughter, Debate, and Viral Fame

 

Sculptures across Bend, Oregon, have recently gained playful new "eyes," thanks to an unknown prankster attaching googly eyes to the city's public art. The whimsical additions have brought laughter to many residents and sparked widespread media attention, even landing a segment on CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

The googly-eyed sculptures are part of Bend’s well-known “Roundabout Art Route,” which features installations in the middle of traffic roundabouts. Photos shared by the city on social media showcase googly eyes on various pieces, including a sculpture of two deer and another of a sphere.

While the googly eyes have delighted many residents, the city has emphasized the cost and potential damage involved in removing them. In a social media post, city officials acknowledged the humor but expressed concern about protecting the artwork.

“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 post read.

The post quickly garnered hundreds of comments, with many users showing support for the googly-eyed decorations.

“My daughter and I went past the flaming chicken today and shared the biggest laugh,” one user said, referring to the “Phoenix Rising” sculpture. “We love the googly eyes. This town is getting to be so stuffy. Let’s have fun!”

Another commenter wrote: “I think the googly eyes on the deer specifically are a great look, and they should stay that way.”

However, some critics argued that the city should prioritize pressing issues like homelessness instead of spending resources on removing the adhesive-backed eyes.

The city’s sculptures have a history of being adorned with seasonal decorations, such as Santa hats, wreaths, and leis. These are typically left in place, but officials view the googly eyes differently because of the adhesive involved.

“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,” said Rene Mitchell, Bend’s communications director.

Mitchell explained that the city has already spent $1,500 removing googly eyes from seven sculptures, with some pieces requiring special treatment due to their materials, such as bronze and steel. The Phoenix Rising sculpture may even need to be entirely repainted.

While the city intended its social media post to raise awareness about preserving public art, some residents felt it came across as heavy-handed.

“There was no intent to be heavy-handed, and we certainly understand how that was taken,” Mitchell said. “We wanted to bring attention to the harm adhesives can cause to the art.”

Despite the city’s concerns, many residents view the googly eyes as harmless fun and a boost to community spirit.

“I look forward to seeing the creativity of whoever it is that decorates the roundabouts during the holidays,” said one commenter. “Brings a smile to everyone to see silliness.”

As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Bend’s googly-eyed sculptures have brought the city an unexpected dose of humor—and international attention.