Dear readers,

At The Bulletin, we know our community counts on us for serious and important news. From crime and elections to business and health care, we cover some weighty issues. 

But every once in a while, we spot a story that makes us see things through a different lens. This week, our focus shifted to something that’s had Bend residents looking closely at our emblematic roundabout artwork: googly eyes. 

Someone has been adding oversized googly eyes to some of our city’s public art pieces. While we typically report on topics with a bit more weight, we couldn’t help but blink at the creativity behind this eye-popping trend. While the cheeky perpetrator of this “art bombing” might be perceived as a hero or a villain, depending on your relationship with art and its conservation, it’s hard not to see the humor. Just look at the photo provided by Art in Public Places.

It’s hard to turn a blind eye. The sculpture has been given a whole new outlook on life.

While the joke might have been played in the blink of an eye, removing these peripheral pranks without damaging the artwork isn’t always easy, and has required professional help on at least one occasion. So maybe our visionary vandal could take it easy?  

This googly-eyed escapade reminds us of something important: While we’re dedicated to keeping you informed about the serious news that affects our community, we also recognize the value of stories that lighten the load, whether it’s the merry mischief of a roundabout rogue, or a touching tale of the ephemera of parenthood. These moments offer us all a chance to smile and appreciate the joy, beauty and quirkiness that make Bend unique.

We’re watching out for you, in every way we can. 

— Julie Johnson 👀

city editor

P.S. — You might notice that our coverage of the Great Googly-eyed Gambol of 2024 is available only to subscribers. That’s because we believe in the value of our exclusive, quality reporting, whether it’s about art jokes, or critically important governance matters. We hope you do, too. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to consider subscribing today to unlock access to our exclusive content and join a community of engaged readers who are passionate about staying informed about Central Oregon and making a difference in the world.