At the New National Gallery in Berlin, an intriguing installation by American artist Beeple, real name Mike Winkelmann, features robot dogs with hyper-realistic silicone heads that resemble famous personalities, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Andy Warhol, and Pablo Picasso. These robotic canines roam around, occasionally printing out images of their surroundings using integrated cameras, a playful twist where each printed image reflects an AI-enhanced reality filtered through the "worldview" of the human figure they represent. For example, the dog styled after Picasso produces Cubist images, while Warhol’s dog generates pop art imagery.
The exhibit, titled Regular Animals, serves as a commentary on how our perceptions are increasingly shaped by algorithms and the powerful tech billionaires who control them. In a statement, Beeple noted that historically, artists shaped societal views. He emphasised the significant influence of today’s tech moguls who can change algorithms at a whim, shaping what we see and understand without the need for conventional governance or debate. This represents a shift in power dynamics in how culture and perspective are formed.
Curator Lisa Botti highlighted the critical role of artificial intelligence in modern society, asserting that museums are vital spaces for reflecting on such transformations, which is why Beeple’s work was included in this exhibition. Regular Animals originally debuted at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2025.
Beeple has gained recognition as a leading artist in the digital realm, being one of the co-founders of the "everyday" movement, which involved creating a new piece of digital artwork every day for years. His art critiques modern society through various lenses, as exemplified by his renowned digital collage, Everydays: The First 5000 Days, sold at auction for over US$69 million, marking a significant milestone in the world of digital art and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
These NFT tokens function as digital certificates verifying the authenticity of artworks recorded on a blockchain, contributing to the growing trend in online collectible culture. During his Art Basel show, Beeple notably gave away the printed images created by his robotic dogs, each accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek certificate claiming they were "100% organic GMO-free dog shit." Some prints included QR codes granting access to NFTs, allowing audience members to potentially monetise their free digital art.
In summary, Beeple’s installation challenges viewers to contemplate the intersections of art, technology, and the influence of powerful individuals on our contemporary worldview.