The August 24, 2016 NASA news item: New NASA Record Holder For Cumulative Days in Space congratulates ISS station commander Jeff Williams for passing 520 total days in space - a new NASA astronaut record.

While I was contemplating the challenges of spending a few percent of one's entire life in a (very large) tin can, I noticed the two microgravity robot things with him. Where can I read more about them, or at least what are they called?

Then the one on Cmdr. Williams' left caught my eye - that looks like art! Where can I read more about the pattern on the outside of that unit?

Who is the space artist??

below: from http://ssl.mit.edu/spheres/projects/vertigo.html which also shows another photo of the red sphere sans décoration.

below x3: Images courtesy of NASA.