Meet the Man Behind
the Viral Googly Eyes Prank in Bend! 😂✨
PORTLAND, Ore. — A resident of Bend, Oregon, has finally revealed himself as the mastermind behind the googly eyes that have been mysteriously appearing on public sculptures around the city, sparking a viral sensation covered by news outlets far and wide.
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Jeff Keith, founder of the Bend-based nonprofit Guardian Group, which combats human trafficking, confessed on Friday that he used duct tape to attach googly eyes to two sculptures. This isn't his first time adding a touch of humor to Bend's art scene; he's previously adorned sculptures with hula skirts and leis as a way to cope with the emotional toll of his work.
“It is a place for me to cope with some pretty heavy stuff,” Keith told The Associated Press, highlighting the unimaginable trauma faced by the trafficking victims he's worked with.
In early December, the city shared photos of the googly eyes installations on social media, noting that adhesives can damage the art. One image showed googly eyes on a sculpture of two deer—Keith's handiwork—while another depicted them on a sphere. The city reported that eight sculptures were affected, costing $1,500 to remove the googly eyes.
The social media posts led to a flood of comments, with many users expressing their amusement and suggesting the city shouldn't spend money on removing the eyes. The story even caught the attention of CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”
Keith didn't anticipate his playful exploits would garner so much attention. He visited city offices to offer to pay for any damages. The city hasn't yet responded to requests for confirmation and comment.
Bend’s communications director, Rene Mitchell, said last month that the city regretted any misunderstanding from its post. The intent was to raise awareness about how adhesives can damage public art pieces made from various metals like bronze and steel. She emphasized there was no intent to be heavy-handed.
Living in Bend for nearly two decades, Keith hopes his pranks bring humor and joy to people’s lives. “I think the biggest thing is, for me, just to get a laugh,” he said. “When I come up on these roundabouts and I see families laughing, like hysterically laughing at these, it makes for a good time.”
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