It’s a beehive! It’s a garbage can! No, it’s… a 150-foot high chunk of meat on a spit?
Yes, the rumors are true. Hudson Yards, Manhattan’s new $25 billion development — AKA elitist neighborhood — just unveiled its central art piece and, as Eater NY pointed out, it looks exactly like one of Israel’s most iconic street foods — the delectable shawarma.
Thomas Heatherwick, the mastermind behind the 15-story climbable sculpture, didn’t set out to make the world’s largest rotating meat-on-a-stick. Inspired by ancient Indian steps, the artist dubbed his $200 million dollar adult jungle gym “The Vessel.” Unfortunately for Heatherwick, no one else will call it that. Because it’s clearly a sculpture of shawarma.
so @agerenesh said that "The Vessel" in Hudson Yard looks like a giant Shawarma and I can't unsee. pic.twitter.com/fGBEUCasrZ
— DE-GRASSY DRIP (@RegardingJosh) March 21, 2019
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Granted, it would be unfair to neglect the myriad of other comparisons New Yorkers have made to Hudson Yard’s art piece. The New York Times called the “big, bold and basket-shaped” structure “the city’s biggest Rorschach test,” and the Washington Post touted The Vessel as “a massive, honeycomb.” But, let’s be honest — any sane person knows that it resembles the savory, juicy, well-seasoned chunks of meat you can find on display at practically any Middle Eastern food truck in Manhattan.
In an interview with Phaidon about his extravagant art installation, Heatherwick said: “The thing to celebrate was the people visiting, and somehow showcase us.” And by “people visiting” and “us” we think he really meant “shawarma” and “shawarma.”
The Vessel (*cough* The Shawarma *cough*) is free to the public as long as you reserve a ticket in advance. Will it rival The Highline in Chelsea? Probably. Because, again — the instagrammable collection of 2,500 Italian-made bronze and steel steps is the greatest ode to shawarma the world has ever seen.
Craving shawarma? Try our cauliflower shawarma rice bowls.
