Kicker: The eye of the beholder

MARY REICHARD, HOST: Philosophers may ponder the question: “what is art.” But the City of Bend, Oregon is clear on what art is not.

The city displays nature statues around town…a family of deer, a school of trout, and so on placed near roundabouts. But someone has been sticking huge googly eyes on the statues! You know, those round white plastic things with a black disc inside that jiggles when you shake them?

Right, so those works of art have a wacky cartoon look now.

City officials are not laughing. But the locals have different opinions:

LOCAL MAN: I think it’s kind of funny. I think it’s a little ridiculous. Somebody's got a whole lot of extra time.

I love it. I think it brings joy. I love seeing this guy decorated.

The “guy” known locally as the flaming chicken is a giant red phoenix. It cost more than $1,500 to remove the adhesive that sticks the googly eyes to the statues.

So word from the City of Bend to the googly eye bandit? Knock it off.

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: I’m guessing the prankster is just rolling his eyes…

REICHARD: It’s The World and Everything in It.

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