Robot dogs with Musk and Zuckerberg heads in Beeple art show
BERLIN, April 28: American digital artist Beeple (Mike Winkelmann) has unveiled an interactive installation at Berlin’s New National Gallery featuring robot dogs with hyper-realistic silicone heads modelled after major global figures, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Beeple himself.
The robotic dogs roam the gallery space, using built-in cameras to capture their surroundings and periodically “poo” out printed images generated from what they see.
Each printed image is transformed by artificial intelligence into an artistic style reflecting the personality of the figure represented by the dog. For example, the Picasso model produces Cubist-style visuals, while the Warhol version generates pop-art interpretations.
The concept is intended to explore how technology and algorithms shape human perception, with the artwork suggesting that modern worldviews are increasingly influenced by tech leaders who control digital platforms rather than traditional artists.
Beeple described the work as a commentary on shifting cultural influence, noting that in the past, artists like Picasso and Warhol shaped how society saw the world, whereas today that influence is increasingly driven by technology executives who control information flows through algorithms. He argued that such power is largely unregulated and can be altered instantly without formal political processes.
The installation, titled “Regular Animals,” was first shown at Art Basel Miami Beach 2025.
The Berlin exhibition, curated by Lisa Botti, highlights artificial intelligence as a transformative force in society and positions museums as spaces for reflection on technological change.
Beeple, known for his daily digital art practice and contributions to the “everyday” movement in 3D graphics, is among the most commercially successful living artists. His NFT artwork Everydays: The First 5000 Days sold at Christie’s in 2021 for over $69 million, marking a milestone in digital art and blockchain-based ownership.
At Art Basel 2025, Beeple also distributed printed outputs from the robot dogs to visitors, some accompanied by certificates and QR codes linked to free NFTs, blending physical art, digital assets, and interactive audience participation. (AP)
