Visitors to Art Basel in Miami encountered an extraordinary spectacle this week as a pack of robotic quadrupeds roamed an exhibition pen, each bearing eerily realistic silicone faces of renowned technology titans and famous artists. The surreal installation drew crowds of onlookers who pointed their smartphones at the unusual display, capturing the bizarre fusion of cutting-edge robotics and celebrity likenesses.
The robotic dogs, each equipped with disturbingly lifelike facial features, moved through their enclosure with mechanical precision. One robot, fitted with Elon Musk's likeness, circled the space with its lips characteristically puckered, while nearby, artificial versions of Andy Warhol and Mark Zuckerberg nearly collided with each other. A Pablo Picasso lookalike paused contemplatively, appearing lost in thought despite its mechanical nature.
Perhaps most bizarrely, the machines would occasionally tip backwards and eject small images resembling Polaroid photographs from their hindquarters, accompanied by the words "poop mode" flashing on screens mounted on their backs. This unexpected feature added an element of crude humor to the already surreal installation, further captivating the assembled crowds.
The installation, titled "Regular Animals," represents the latest work by American digital artist Beeple, whose real name is Mike Winkelmann. Two of the seven robots feature his own face, complete with his distinctive hairstyle and glasses, sharing the arena with mechanized versions of Musk, Warhol, Zuckerberg, Picasso, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. "I'm the odd one out, I'll say that," Beeple told CNN, acknowledging his inclusion among the more famous figures.
According to the artist, the robots' cameras continuously photograph the art fair and reinterpret what they capture in visual styles associated with the figures they resemble. Prints generated by the Warhol-faced robot mimic the pop artist's signature aesthetic, while the Picasso version reshapes its surroundings through a cubist lens. For the billionaire faces, Beeple suggested the styles hint at how powerful tech leaders shape what people see online through the algorithms they control.
The project serves as a cautionary statement about humanity's readiness for the future. "We are not ready for the future," his latest work warns, reflecting concerns about technology's rapid advancement and its impact on society. The installation challenges viewers to consider the relationship between artificial intelligence, celebrity culture, and digital manipulation.
Art Basel Miami, recognized as one of the world's most commercially influential art fairs, showcases modern and contemporary works from leading galleries worldwide. Recent editions have placed increasing emphasis on digital and experimental media, reflecting the art world's growing engagement with technology. Beeple's robotic creatures are housed in the fair's dedicated section for new formats, called Zero 10, which specifically focuses on innovative artistic expressions.
The printed pieces generated by the robots serve a dual purpose, functioning as both physical keepsakes and NFTs (non-fungible tokens). This medium experienced a dramatic surge during the 2021 cryptocurrency boom before subsequently crashing. Beeple himself became intimately familiar with the NFT market when he sold a 5,000-image digital collage for $69.3 million, making him the third most expensive living artist in the world at that time.
All seven robots were sold within the first hour of the fair's opening, demonstrating strong collector interest in the innovative artwork. However, Beeple noted that the robots have a built-in obsolescence feature: their image-recording and blockchain functions will cease after three years, even as their basic movements continue. This planned obsolescence adds another layer of commentary about technology's temporary nature and the ephemeral quality of digital art in an increasingly connected world.
