Carlo Sampietro

PopDogs is a large-scale mobile installation that addresses the global issue of dog overpopulation as a symbolic manifestation of cycles of desire, consumption, and abandonment. The work takes the form of an oversized popcorn machine that appears to expel stuffed toy dogs at an alarming rate, evoking the uncontrolled birth rate of domestic animals worldwide.

The cascading accumulation of toy dogs produces an absurd yet unsettling spectacle that invites viewers to draw parallels with the millions of animals born only to be abandoned, neglected, or destroyed. Four oversized red-and-white striped popcorn bags surrounding the main structure reference global urban contexts—New York, Paris, Shanghai, and Rio de Janeiro—each marked by distinct challenges related to animal overpopulation.

Presented in public and institutional contexts and accompanied by educational roundtables with experts in urban management, animal welfare, and advocacy, PopDogs functions as a platform for collective reflection. The installation frames public art as a catalyst for ethical engagement and social awareness.