World Dog Day: From Blurry Amateur Videos to Polished AI-Generated Images

On August 26, World Dog Day, an article by Giovanna Durì and Anita Romanello on doppiozero.com reflects on the changing nature of dog-related imagery shared online. The authors recall a recent incident where a dog was impatiently tugging its owner, who was engrossed in a loud phone argument, contrasting it with a few months earlier when the same dog was pleading for its owner to move while he stood still. This anecdote illustrates the shifting dynamics of human-animal interaction in public spaces. The article notes that for every occasion, including World Dog Day, the internet floods with images, and algorithms ensure they reach users. Amateur videos from a few years ago, characterized by blurry, 'stolen reportage' style, have been replaced by polished, moving images with perfect details, colors, and lighting, enhanced by sophisticated yet affordable software effects that make anyone feel like 'a bit of Spielberg'. The authors observe that reality is increasingly distancing itself from our devices, returning to what we actually see. The piece, published on August 26, 2026, is part of a series titled 'Cartoline d'estate. Una stagione da cani' (Summer Postcards. A Dog's Season), reflecting on contemporary visual culture and the impact of technology on perception.