BERLIN — Robot dogs fitted with hyper-realistic silicone heads modeled after global figures, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Andy Warhol, and Pablo Picasso, are roaming the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin as part of a new interactive exhibition by American digital artist Beeple, also known as Mike Winkelmann.
The installation, titled Regular Animals, features robotic dogs that move through the museum while capturing images of their surroundings using built-in cameras. The machines then “process” and print distorted visual outputs that reflect algorithmic interpretations of reality, which are sometimes ejected as printed paper images from the robots.
Each output is designed to reflect a stylized worldview based on the figure represented by the dog’s head. For example, the Picasso-themed robot generates Cubist-style distortions, while the Warhol version produces pop-art-inspired imagery.
Organizers describe the work as a commentary on how perception is increasingly shaped by algorithms and digital platforms rather than traditional human interpretation.
Beeple said the project reflects how cultural influence has shifted over time, from artists shaping public perception to technology leaders influencing what people see online through algorithmic systems. He noted that changes to these systems can be made instantly by platform owners, with wide-reaching effects on public discourse.
The exhibition curator, Lisa Botti, said artificial intelligence is one of the most influential forces shaping contemporary life and described museums as spaces for public reflection on technological change.
The work was first presented at Art Basel Miami Beach 2025 before being brought to Berlin.
Beeple is widely known for his daily digital art practice and for being one of the pioneers of contemporary NFT-based art. In 2021, his digital collage Everydays: The First 5000 Days sold for more than 69 million dollars at Christie’s, marking a milestone in the mainstream recognition of non-fungible tokens in the art market.
During the Art Basel 2025 presentation, Beeple distributed printed images produced by the robotic dogs to visitors, along with certificates labeled “100% organic GMO-free dog shit.” Some prints included QR codes that grant access to NFTs, allowing recipients to potentially trade or monetize the digital works.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
