Oregon city asks locals to stop putting googly eyes on sculptures

UPI ^ | December 11, 2024 | Ben Hooper

[Red Badger]

Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Officials in Bend, Ore., are asking residents to stop attaching googly eyes to the city's sculptures, despite support for the whimsical practice from some locals.

The city's official account said on Instagram that the oversized plastic eyes attached to eight public art installations by unknown pranksters could end up costing Bend a lot of money.

"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 said. "While we don't condone the wreaths, leis and Santa hats, let's stay away from adhesives, graffiti and all things that can damage the art."

The post garnered dozens of comments from residents, including many from locals who said the googly eyes are a harmless addition to the sculptures.

City spokesperson René Mitchell said the adhesives that keep the eyes in place can damage the coating of the metal.

"Corten steel can lose rust patches from adhesives, needing chemical treatment to rust evenly," Mitchell told OregonLive. "Stainless steel requires strong solvents to remove adhesive residue."

Mitchell said the city already spent more than $1,500 removing googly eyes from sculptures.

"While the addition of the googly eyes may be amusing and make people laugh, they ultimately cause unintended damage," Mitchell said.

More pics at site.................

[mfish13]

I thought this was the Babylon Bee.

[Red Badger]

[PAR35]

Taking the ordinary and making it creative.

[Red Badger]

[Red Badger]

[pgyanke]

It’s adorable but they shouldn’t use adhesives.

[V_TWIN]

“Officials in Bend, Ore.”

The same people that yell at kids for playing on their lawn.......I am glad though, that Bend, Ore. has town matters under control to the point that this is what they’re concerned about.

[Red Badger]

[Red Badger]

[Leaning Right]

I blame Christopher Walken’s old SNL sketch for starting this practice. The Bend, Oregon officials should hold Mr. Walken personally responsible.

[Magnum44]

[AppyPappy]

Rioting and burning is OK but not googly eyes

[FamiliarFace]

I don’t think Bend has a lot of rioting and burning. You might be thinking of Portland. My daughter lives in Bend, and whenever we visit her, we see a beautiful small city that is a big travel spot. It seems well kept to me.

[bakeneko]

Make it “public art installations”.

How much money the city spent on this crap; now they’re upset that Joe Sixpack demonstrates that he can have worse taste than they do. They will not be mocked!!

[simpson96]

Liberal LaLa Land...

[Organic Panic]

I use to live there. It is californicated beyond recognition. I lived there when they still had lumber mills. Great little place. Now, I have to drive through on my way to the coast and would never recognize it.

[alternatives?]

Looks like art to me.

[SunkenCiv]

The one on the left is greatly improved by them.

[Pollard]