Hot Dog Sculpture in Times Square

A larger-than-life hot dog sculpture, spanning 65 feet, is currently on display in Times Square. The art piece is complete with a realistic looking bun wrapped around the weiner with a drizzle of mustard on top. The sandwich also features some unconventional elements: military netting, American flag banners, and a golden, winged Statue of Liberty replica held down by duct tape. Every day at noon, confetti shoots out of the end of the hot dog.

“ We really wanted to represent New York, Times Square, and then of course, America at large,” said Paul Outlaw, one of the artists behind the piece. 

The sculpture was created by Outlaw and his wife, Jen Catron, an artistic duo based out of Brooklyn. The piece is titled “Hot Dog: The Second Serving,” and it’s their second hot dog rendition.

Two years ago, they created a sculpture of a regular hot dog, with no added features. Outlaw said the original piece was meant to be a general depiction of the United States, conveying themes of patriotism and capitalism. He said the new sculpture still touches on those themes, but also expands on them to represent the changes seen in the country over the past two years.

“This iteration took that same concept but reflected a kind of a much different time than we were two years ago," he explained, "'cause we're a country at war, we're a country that's gilding everything, that's producing new monuments of self-indulgence."

He continued. “We wanted to incorporate all those things to update the image of America that we presented two years ago to what the hot dog is today.” 

While the different themes conveyed in the piece are intended to be both an American homage and a criticism of the country, Outlaw said they recognize that people’s takeaways might vary based on their own perspectives and past experiences.

“ I described it as possibly the gayest thing in New York City — not having to do with Pride or Broadway,” said Eddie Zielinski, a New Yorker who went to Times Square to check out the sculpture.

Zielinski added that, for him, the sculpture was nostalgic.

“I totally think of Americana," he said. "I think of backyard barbecues, like what I grew up [with]  in the suburbs. And you know, hot dogs, Oscar Mayer. That's the first thing that comes to mind. Whatever you think America is, I think that's what the feeling this hot dog sculpture brings to mind, for me anyway.”

For some spectators, including Bronx native Xavier Ortiz, despite the message the artists intended to convey, what got Ortiz to stop and look at the piece was the sheer spectacle of it.

“ It's definitely New York. You feel me? It's a hot dog," said Ortiz. "To this scale though, it's kind of crazy, like this is a pretty big hot dog."

The sculpture is on display in Father Duffy Square until Aug. 8. 

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