Funny Eyes on City Art

The city of Bend, Oregon, is dealing with an unusual situation: residents are sticking googly eyes on public art pieces. While some find this amusing, the city authorities are not pleased. They've spent $1,500 removing these adhesive eyes from seven sculptures, citing potential damage to the artwork.

The city's stance has sparked a debate among residents. Some argue that the googly eyes add humor to the city, with one resident mentioning how the eyes on the 'Phoenix Rising' sculpture (nicknamed 'flaming chicken') brought laughter to her and her daughter. Others believe the city should focus on more pressing issues like homelessness.

Bend's communications director, Rene Mitchell, explained that while they encourage community engagement with art, they need to protect the pieces from damage. The adhesive used for the googly eyes can harm the metal sculptures, potentially requiring extensive repairs or repainting.