Portland, Ore. googly eyes It appeared on statues around the city in recent months and sparked a viral sensation widely covered by news outlets.
Jeff Keith, founder of the Guardian Group, a turn-based nonprofit, said Friday that he used duct tape to attach the googly eyes to the two statues. He said he’s previously done similar pranks on other twisted sculptures — such as dressing them in hula skirts and lace — and they serve as a respite from the emotional toll of his work.
“It’s a place for me to deal with some very heavy things,” he told The Associated Press.
The city shared photos of the googly eye installations on social media in early December, saying the adhesive could damage the art. One photo shows googly eyes placed on a statue of two deer – described by Keith as his handiwork – while another shows them attached to a circle. City officials at the time said eight statues were affected and it would cost $1,500 to remove the googly eyes.
Social media posts prompted a flurry of comments, with many social media users saying they liked the googly eyes and that the city shouldn’t spend time and money removing them. The post and his comments were covered by news outlets, and even made it onto a segment on CBS’ “The Late Show.” Stephen Colbert”
Keith said he didn’t expect his exploits to get so much attention, and went to city offices to offer to pay for any damages. The city did not immediately respond to an email request seeking confirmation and comment.
Renee Mitchell, the band’s director of communications, told The Associated Press last month that the city was sorry her position had been misunderstood. He said there was no intention to be “heavy-handed” and that the posts were meant to raise awareness of the damage that can be done to the city’s public art collection. He said the city had started treating some of the art pieces, which are made of different types of metal such as bronze and steel.
Keith, who has been in the band for nearly two decades, said he hopes his jokes will bring some humor and joy into people’s everyday lives.
“I think the biggest thing for me is just the laughs,” he said. “When I come on these rounds and I see the families laughing, like laughing at them, it makes for a good time.”
