For the past 12 months, local artist Ryan Duggan has been creating a series of prints featuring a quintessential Chicago structure: the hot dog stand. The series began with a print depicting the defunct Pig Outs, which once served hot dogs, Italian beef and hamburgers in Avondale. Duggan has continued producing the prints and selling them through his website, Drug Factory Press, creating tributes to local institutions like Gene & Jude's, Byron's and Duk's as well as bygone stands such as Sam's Red Hots and Bunyon's.
Tonight, the project culminates with a gallery show entitled "Hot Dog Architecture," taking place at LetherB+B (3656 W Wrightwood Ave) from 6 to 10pm. The show will display all 12 of Duggan's hot dog stand prints, and the remaining copies of each print will be available for purchase. You're probably going to get hungry looking at all of these eateries, so refreshments from Old Style and Land and Sea Dept. will also be offered (and we're guessing that hot dogs will somehow be involved).
For anyone who appreciates unpretentious encased meat served out of buildings that have existed for decades, this is the kind of art you've been searching for. Take a look at some of Duggan's hot dog stand prints below.
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