Robot dogs with Musk and Zuckerberg heads roam around Berlin gallery in Beeple's new exhibit

A striking and unconventional art installation is capturing attention in Berlin, where robotic dogs fitted with hyper-realistic human faces wander through a gallery space, blending technology, satire, and cultural commentary. The exhibit, created by American digital artist Beeple, is currently on display at the iconic Neue Nationalgalerie.

The installation features robotic dogs topped with silicone heads modeled after globally recognized figures such as Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Andy Warhol, and Pablo Picasso. These robotic creations are not merely static sculptures—they actively move around the gallery and interact with their environment using integrated cameras.

One of the most unusual aspects of the installation is the dogs’ ability to “produce” printed images of their surroundings. These images are not simple photographs; instead, they are transformed using artificial intelligence to reflect the artistic or philosophical style associated with the figure represented. For example, a dog bearing the likeness of Picasso generates visuals in a Cubist style, while the Warhol-inspired version produces pop art interpretations.

The exhibit, titled “Regular Animals,” serves as a commentary on how human perception is increasingly shaped by algorithms and digital platforms. Beeple suggests that while artists once influenced how people saw the world, today that influence has shifted toward powerful technology leaders who control the algorithms behind digital content. According to the artist, this shift represents a significant concentration of power, as these individuals can alter information flows instantly without traditional regulatory processes.

Adding another layer to the experience, some robotic dogs feature Beeple’s own likeness, reinforcing the idea that creators themselves are part of this evolving digital ecosystem. The exhibition also encourages audience interaction. At earlier showings, including Art Basel Miami Beach 2025, visitors were given printed outputs from the installation—humorously labeled as organic waste—sometimes accompanied by QR codes that unlocked digital artworks.

Beeple, originally from South Carolina, is widely recognized for pioneering daily digital art creation through his “Everydays” project. His work gained global prominence when his digital collage Everydays: The First 5000 Days sold for over $69 million through Christie's, making him one of the most valuable living artists. The sale also marked a turning point in the acceptance of NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, as legitimate forms of art ownership.

Curator Lisa Botti emphasized that museums play a crucial role in helping society reflect on transformative technologies like artificial intelligence. This installation, with its blend of humor, absurdity, and critical insight, invites viewers to reconsider how much of their worldview is shaped not by direct experience, but by the unseen influence of algorithms and those who control them.

Through this imaginative yet thought-provoking display, Beeple challenges audiences to confront the growing role of technology in shaping reality—raising questions that are as relevant as they are unsettling.