Every pixel is another +1 interaction on the site to pump their engagement numbers. Might not be direct views, but they are using r/place to offset the audience engagement losses over the monthly average. Spez is buying time before the summaries hit the board's desks.
I think so. The fact they did this almost certainly knowing exactly what would be made makes it clear. They did this for pure engagement numbers. The saying used to be "Any publicity is good publicity", now it seems it's more like "Any engagement is good engagement".