You read that headline correct! A massive hot dog sculpture, in fact, the world’s largest, has taken over Times Square, all thanks to artist duo Jen Catron and Paul Outlaw. The 65-foot-long frankfurter is equipped with hydraulics to blast confetti over one of the busiest pedestrian areas on the planet. It’s all part of Hot Dog in the City, an exhibition that includes larger-than-life installations and immersive experiences, but its last day in the city will be tomorrow, June 13th!
The hot dog has become a symbol synonymous with America, but more specifically New York, and Catron and Outlaw have set out to “examine consumption, capitalism, class, and contemporary culture” through a humorous approach to inspire “serious talks, playful performances, and political debate.”
The pièce de résistance is of course the bright red hot dog, sitting inside a gargantuan bun and topped with a smattering of mustard, that ascends over crowds for daily confetti celebrations. Confetti bursts from the installation will not only hint at a quintessential part of American celebrations, but serve as a play on American patriotism’s hyper-masculinity and showmanship.
Though silly in thought, Hot Dog in the City intends to complete a hefty and earnest task of “drawing parallels between the history of the hot dog and American culture as a whole, [and shedding] light on topics such as street vending as an immigrant experience, the underbelly of the meat industry, the patriarchy of meat-eating, and American politics.”
Beyond the massive hot dog sculpture, the exhibition will launch a variety of additional themed programming including: Condiment Wars: A Wrestling Match featuring the EWA and Choke Hole; The Hottest Dog Show: A Canine Beauty Pageant with AKC Museum of the Dog; Hot Dog Eating Contest with Nathan’s Hot Dogs & Major League Eating and more. Oh, and did we mention you can cast your vote now to settle the endless debate of which condiment reigns supreme? Decide here!
Hot Dog in the City’s last day will be tomorrow, June 13th in Times Square between Broadway and 46th Street. For more details and the entire programming schedule, see here.