At this year’s Art Basel, digital artist Mike Winkelmann, better known as Beeple, made waves once again with a ground-breaking fusion of robotics, NFTs, and interactive art. His latest installation, titled “Regular Animals,” featured robotic quadrupeds equipped with sensors and cameras that capture real-time visual data from Art Basel attendees, producing stylized prints linked to blockchain-based NFTs.
What is Beeple’s ‘Regular Animals’ Installation?
Situated at the Miami Beach Convention Center as part of Art Basel’s “Zero 10” program for digital works, the installation comprised robot dogs with heads sculpted to resemble culture-shaping figures like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and Beeple himself. These unique robots roamed the convention floor, snapping photos and printing out vibrant artworks in real-time.
Each print was not just artwork—it also served as a gateway into the blockchain world, with some prints containing QR codes that allowed attendees to claim NFTs. As an added touch of satire, these prints came with a humorous disclaimer describing the output as “100% pure GMO-free, organic dogshit.”
Art Meets Blockchain
The robots fused cutting-edge technology with provocative artistic commentary. Equipped with AI-powered dye-sublimation printers, they processed the visual data they collected into unique prints tied to their respective “identity masks.” These memories, logged on blockchain, explored themes like how individuals such as tech moguls and artists shape our collective view of the world.
Each robot itself was a work of art, featuring a sleek commercial quadruped platform modified with silicone heads sculpted using platinum-cure materials. Priced at $100,000 each, the robots became instant collector’s items, selling out quickly during the VIP previews—although the Jeff Bezos-inspired piece was notably exempt from sale.
Beeple’s Legacy in NFT Art
This installation arrives on the heels of Beeple’s historic 2021 sale of “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” for a jaw-dropping $69.3 million, which solidified his status as one of the most expensive living artists. Since then, the NFT market has seen its peaks and valleys. While NFT sales volume surged 78% by July 2025, overall trading activity dipped significantly due to declining floor prices. However, Beeple remains optimistic about the evolving synergy between digital art and blockchain technology.
Explore NFTs with Beeple-Inspired Innovations
If you’re intrigued by Beeple’s unique take on NFTs, it’s worth diving deeper into the world of crypto collectibles. For a seamless way to store and interact with NFTs like those from “Regular Animals,” consider using MetaMask, a trusted crypto wallet designed for both beginners and seasoned users.
Beeple’s work challenges us to view art, technology, and culture through the lens of ever-evolving AI systems and blockchain narratives. With “Regular Animals,” he has once again proven that the intersection of cutting-edge technology and creative vision offers limitless possibilities for storytelling in the digital age.
