‘Spot’ The Robot Dog Sells Its Art To Raise Funds For Ukraine
Photo 230697536 © Antonello Marangi | Dreamstime.com
Besides performing manual labor and inspections, ‘Spot’ the robot dog has been honing its creative skills alongside Polish-American artist Agnieszka Pilat. And now, in a picture far different from the Black Mirror-esque killer bot dogs from your nightmares, the autonomous friend has been helping to raise funds for displaced Ukrainians.
A recent charity auction show hosted by the Polish Dominican Friars saw a painting by Pilat and the robot being sold for US$40,000. A total of US$250,000 was drawn from the event.
The painting, Sunrise March, was created using the pitter-patter of Spot’s little paint-covered feet across a canvas. The footsteps are symbolic of the millions of Ukrainians marching into Poland after Russia invaded their homeland.
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Pilat has been especially struck by photos of older people marching in solidarity with their country.
The artwork is depicted in the hues of the Ukrainian flag. It portrays an upheaval as well as an inspiring message of hope and freedom.
Image via Polish Dominican Friars
“Coincidentally I have been painting using just blue and yellow in the last few months, the colors of Ukraine,” the artist details on Instagram. “There’s so much beauty in these colors—the tears, the sun, blooming flowers, the sea, the sky.”
The artist became a household name in the Bay Area after Airbnb HQ developer Paul Stein noticed her technology-forward artwork and commissioned her to create a portrait. The tech community—including top executives from SpaceX and Tesla—got word of her craft, and she soon became known as Silicon Valley’s “favorite artist,” quotes The First News.
Initially built for industrial applications, Boston Dynamics’ Spot can now be adopted by members of the public for US$75,000,
The robotics firm recruited Pilat as an artist-in-residence and gifted her a Spot of her own. However, she no longer has the first robot and has since started working with another model, which she takes out on walks.
100% of proceeds from the auction will help provide food, shelter, and medical assistance for Ukrainian refugees fleeing to the neighboring Poland. You can see how Spot created the work below.
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[via Mashable, The First News, New York Post, images via various sources]
