ADVERTISEMENT

In the weird and wonderful world of Rosemberg’s “Forbidden Toys,” it’s not just the absurdity that hooks you. It’s the way each piece feels like a hyper-saturated mirror of reality, as if someone rifled through the collective childhood memory bin and pulled out all the stuff adults never questioned but probably should have.

There’s something both hilarious and a little haunting about seeing a plush toy grappling with depression or a kitchen set themed around existential dread, not because they’re unrealistic but because they feel just a shade off from things that could have existed if the world had leaned a little further into chaos.

More info: Instagram | itsrosemberg.com

#1

Boy playing dark toy set with protest figures and signs, highlighting hilarious dark toys never meant for kids by an artist.

the.forbidden.toys Report

Add photo comments
POST
Der Kommissar
Community Member
2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having eyewitnessed demonstrations back in the 60s , I can tell you that cops did not shoot protesters. You tear gas and beat them with batons after declaring an illegal assembly. this happened at a peaceful protest led by teachers, when LBJ was visiting the Century Plaza Hotel in L.A.

View more commentsArrow down menu
RELATED:
    #3

    Young boy playing with a dark toy inspired by the trolley problem, highlighting dark toys never meant for kids.

    the.forbidden.toys Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    BrunoVI
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Surprise (literal) twist: the trolley kills them all whatever you do.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Girl playing with a hilariously dark toy coffin and skeleton, showcasing dark toys never meant for kids by an imaginative artist.

    the.forbidden.toys Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Karl der Große
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I subbed at a school where the teachers were really upset that one of their colleagues had his students stage a medieval burial (they broke up in groups, and each group represented a different social class). They were MAD that this guy had done that, although it seemed like a good approach to the lesson to me.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #15

    Boy wearing a pope hat and a toy game with red-robed figures, illustrating dark toys imagined by the artist.

    the.forbidden.toys Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Careful with that Chimney! It's all fun and games until someone Popes an eye out!

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #17

    Boy playing with a darkly humorous toy set featuring a Border Snitch device, figures, and a truck with an American flag.

    the.forbidden.toys Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Der Kommissar
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This would be funny if ICE were not rounding people up, Gestapo style.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #18

    Two boys laughing while playing with dark humor toys in a miniature street fighting ring scene.

    the.forbidden.toys Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    CatLover
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a Brit, after reading the title, I initially thought this might have a different outcome…

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #20

    Toy car made from green soda bottles in funny dark toys collection, highlighting unusual toys not meant for kids.

    the.forbidden.toys Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Der Kommissar
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ironically, Namibia has a very high death rate from car accidents. Aside from that, it is one of the safest countries in Africa.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda