Beeple’s Commentary on Social Media Control

Political artist Mike Winkelman, known as Beeple, has launched an exhibit titled “Regular Animals,” aiming to critique the influence of social media platforms on public perception.

At Art Basel Miami Beach, attendees encountered robotic dogs adorned with realistic masks of notable figures such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol. Interestingly, Winkelmann included stylized versions of himself among the mix.

“These robotic dogs continually snap photos and rank them based on what’s deemed interesting,” Winkelmann explained on his X page. “When it’s time for them to… relieve themselves, the output is reimagined using AI, reflecting each dog’s unique personality and worldview.”

Observers labeled the exhibit as both “bizarre” and “creepy.” For instance, Zuckerberg’s robotic dog produced a photo reminiscent of the Metaverse, though it was presented in black and white.

Although Bezos’ robot didn’t create a print, Winkelmann justified its inclusion, stating, “He has a role in shaping how we perceive the world, which is why he belongs in this piece.”

Winkelmann describes his dogs as a parody of control over perception. He noted that in the past, artists typically helped us interpret the world. Today, figures like Zuckerberg and Musk dictate vast portions of our viewpoints through powerful algorithms.

He further remarked that with the rise of AI and robotics, our perspectives will increasingly be influenced by them. However, while he critiques the capitalist nature of those he highlights, his own robotic dog-generated photographs fetch hefty prices—reportedly up to $100,000 each, which collectors license to travel with the exhibit.

This isn’t Winkelmann’s first venture into political commentaries; his earlier short videos addressed issues of power and communication.

His works include pieces like “Transparent Machines,” which aim to explore themes of transparency and privacy. One of his notable projects is a music video for the radical rap group Run the Jewels, providing reflections on the housing market crash of 2009.

In an interview, he conveyed that he finds the current political polarization frustrating, feeling caught between extremes. “I’m not quite sure if I’m liberal, but the opposing side seems quite chaotic,” he stated.