Bend art project similar to border wall, some claim | Local News | centraloregondaily.com

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"Deschutes Passage" is one of the two final desgins the public was asked to weigh in on for an art installation at Bend's new public works campus. One of the options has sparked controversial reaction, as some think it looks like the southern border wall.

One of the two proposed public art designs for Bend's Public Works Campus has received controversial reaction online as many are saying it looks like the southern border wall.

"Deschutes Passage" is one of the two final designs that the public was asked to vote on.

Several comments were left on the Central Oregon Daily News Facebook page after last week’s announcement seeking public feedback with people noting the similarities.

"It was brought to our attention that there may be similarities with one of these concepts to the southern border wall," Art in Public Places (AiPP) President Romy Mortensen said.

The City of Bend contracted AiPP to help with the installation as the site is located on city property. The plan was to allow the community to vote and pick the winner.

"We spoke to the artist today (Monday) to let him know, and we told him that we would be in contact after the committee met this afternoon as to what the next steps are. But he's fully aware that the viewing and public input has been put on hold or postponed," Mortensen said.

"Deschutes Passage" artist Patrick Marold says he never intended to provoke similarities to the border wall. He says his inspiration came from the permeated volcanic rock surrounding Bend and the Deschutes River.

"The format of these canted beams that meet each other at the top and bottom, almost like a zig-zag, create this effect, this pattern as you pass by it. And in that effect, you find this river line reveal itself in the wall," Marold said.

Marold says he's no stranger to having his art misinterpreted, but he is surprised by what some of the public is likening his work to.

"It's human nature to see similarities with anything in out environment, whether it's the border wall or the landscape. It's just what we do with visual components. It's part of public art. It's part of art in general," Marold said.

Officials from the City of Bend and AiPP met Monday night and decided the artists would be given two weeks to revise their entries if they wished to do so. After that, public comment will be re-opened.

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