City Urges Residents to Cease Placing Googly Eyes on Statues | US News
A local council in the United States has urged its residents to refrain from placing googly eyes on the city’s artworks.
The whimsical additions have surfaced on various statues and murals throughout Bend, Oregon, creating a viral phenomenon.
“Although the googly eyes on the different art pieces might bring a smile, the removal process is costly, and we aim to avoid damaging the artwork,” the city conveyed in social media posts.
“It would be free to leave them alone,” responded one Facebook user, while another commended the new adornments.
“My daughter and I passed by the flaming chicken today and shared the biggest laugh,” she remarked, referring to the “Phoenix Rising” sculpture by its playful nickname.
“We adore the googly eyes. This town is becoming so serious. Let’s have some fun!”
Another Facebook user commented: “I think the googly eyes on the deer look fantastic and should remain as they are.”
Others suggested that the city should prioritize more pressing issues, like homelessness, rather than spending time and resources on removing the googly eyes.
Bend’s sculptures often feature seasonal decorations, such as Santa hats and wreaths, which the council does not remove.
Googly eyes were also placed on a statue of two deer. Pic: City of Bend, Oregon
However, the googly eyes are being taken down due to the adhesive used, as explained by Bend’s communications director, Rene Mitchell.
“We truly encourage our community to interact with the art and enjoy it. We just need to ensure its protection and prevent any damage,” she stated.
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Following the city’s post going viral, Ms. Mitchell commented: “There was never an intention to come off as heavy-handed, and we fully understand how that may have been perceived.”
“We are custodians of this extensive public art collection and want to raise awareness that using adhesives can harm the art. Thus, as caretakers of the collection, we deemed it important to communicate that through social media.”
Bend has allocated $1,500 (£1,188) for the removal of googly eyes from seven out of the eight affected sculptures, according to Ms. Mitchell, and has begun treating some of the pieces, which consist of various metals like bronze and steel.
Some sculptures, like “Phoenix Rising,” may even require complete repainting.
