Digital artist Beeple’s $100K robot dog steals the spotlight next to Elon Musk and Picasso, selling out fast

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Mike Winkelmann, known as Beeple, has gained significant attention at Art Basel Miami Beach with his latest installation, “Regular Animals,” which runs until Sunday. This project features robotic dogs valued at $100,000 each, designed with hyper-realistic heads resembling influential figures such as Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos, as well as iconic artists like Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. These robotic dogs navigate a plexiglass enclosure, capturing images through cameras mounted on their chests, which are then processed by AI and humorously described as being “pooped out.”

Among the prints generated from this installation, 256 include QR codes that allow collectors to receive a free NFT, packaged in bags labeled “Excrement Sample.” In a bold move, Beeple included a self-portrait dog in the collection, which sold first, surprising even him. This project showcases Beeple’s knack for blending technology and art, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the contemporary art scene.

This isn’t the first time Winkelmann has made headlines; four years ago, his digital collage sold for an astonishing $69 million at Christie’s, a sale that played a significant role in igniting the NFT market. While the NFT boom has since experienced ups and downs, Beeple continues to be a central character in the evolving landscape of digital art.