A giant, confetti-shooting hot dog is now on view in Times Square
All photos © 6sqft
A confetti-shooting, 65-foot-long hot dog now sits in the heart of Times Square. Created by artists Jen Carton and Paul Outlaw, the animatronic sausage sculpture “Hot Dog in the City” seeks to celebrate the American hot dog while delving into the interconnected themes of consumption, capitalism, class, and culture within the context of the iconic New York City fast food. Located in Duffy Square, the installation, accompanied by programs and talks, is on view to the public through June 13.
The piece consists of a massive bun and classic red frankfurter topped with mustard and is controlled by hydraulic mechanisms that point it towards the sky and shoot out confetti onto bystanders each day at 12 p.m.
The confetti festivities reflect upon trademark American celebrations like the Fourth of July and gender reveal parties, as well as the hyper-masculinity and showmanship associated with American culture. The spectacular nature of the sculpture makes Times Square the perfect location, matching the monumental installations’ towering scale.
While proclaimed as the world’s largest hot dog sculpture, it hasn’t been made official by Guinness World Records. The only other one that comes close is a 63-foot sculpture that sits atop a Michigan restaurant called Wienerlicious, according to the New York Times.
Throughout its stay in Times Square, the giant installation will be the center of exciting events, including a dog beauty pageant, a Nathan’s hot dog eating contest, and more. The piece has already been the site of “Condiment Wars,” a professional wrestling match that stunned viewers last week.
The hot dog eating contest will take place on Friday, May 17 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by Nathan’s Hot Dogs and Major League Eating. The top male and female competitors will go on to compete at the 2024 Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island in July. Those interested in attending can RSVP here.
Additionally, to shine a spotlight on street vendors and the civic issues that shape their work, Carton and Outlaw launched a video series with the Street Vendor Project, an organization that advocates for the rights of street vendors.
“Hot Dog in the City” was fabricated by The Factory NYC, Stronghold Fine Arts, and Themendous Scenic Studios.
More on the installation and upcoming events can be found here.
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