Rosemberg’s Forbidden Toys emerged from his fascination with presenting a “nonexistent past through the formal conventionalism of advertising aesthetics exclusively centered on toys.” He explains, “Since it is a popular language, I find it especially interesting to twist it and invite reflection on the context and mechanics of products that could have existed, focusing on themes such as censorship, taboo, ideology, and religion”. By taking objects usually associated with innocence and subverting their meaning, Rosemberg challenges audiences to question what is considered socially acceptable and why.
A conceptual artist with experience in film, music, and design, Rosemberg has long drawn inspiration from the toy world. “I have always been a great lover of the toy world (I have an almost impractical collection at home), and it has been a constant source of inspiration in my work. In one way or another, the toy world has always been present in everything I have done”. His earlier practice of leaving handmade toys on the streets has evolved into a digital exploration that combines traditional artistic methods with AI tools like DALL·E 3 and Midjourney.
While some of the Forbidden Toys are controversial, Rosemberg notes that public reception has largely exceeded his expectations. “I have received support from a very diverse group of people whom I greatly admire. I have also received criticism, but that is normal considering the nature of my work. Furthermore, since these criticisms are exclusively of a moral nature, they do not displease me; rather, they amuse me; as impotent rage is a spectacle in itself”. He also observes how audiences interpret his work in unpredictable ways: “Sometimes people see nuances or layers I didn’t initially intend, and that dialogue between the work and the audience becomes part of the piece itself”.
Though many Forbidden Toys exist digitally, Rosemberg has expanded the series into physical forms. Sculptures from the project have been exhibited at galleries such as Anneé Zero in Paris and are set to appear at EMOP in Berlin. Beyond exhibition, the artist emphasizes the conceptual goal: “What I intend with the Forbidden Toys project is to give the impression that it’s a toy that could have existed and then provoke reflection: who in their right mind could have conceived something like this, what purpose it might have, how it would work, etc.”. The project continues to explore the space between imagination, humor, and discomfort, inviting viewers to reconsider the familiar objects that shape cultural and personal memory.
