There is something very calming, yet cheerful about a rubber duck; a positive connotation linked to taking a relaxing bath. However, the duck on the cover of Freedman’s book Positive Illusions is, unsuprisingly, an illusion. The Canadian artist is a master at using CGI to create scenes from his childhood memory. He spends countless hours building images, placing objects, creating shadows and matching structures.

Flipping through the book unlocks memories of my own summer holidays. We see green trees, vague images as if taken from a driving car, and a variety of animals; skies filled with rainbows, birds, balloons, air bubbles and the big, yellow M. The further you go in the book, the more curious some compositions become. It is only then that the digital construction becomes more obvious. 

It is fascinating how a genuine memory, or a particular emotion can be triggered by images created by a computer programme. By skilfully using digital tools to create nostalgic scenes, Freedman manipulates the idea of memory while probing the usual rules of photography. 
 

LOTTE KLÖSTERS is the manager of both the in-house gallery and the bookshop of Foam Photography Museum. After working with textiles and contemporary art jewellery she has focused on photography for the last ten years. In the role of gallery manager she works with both new talent, curating the First Editions program at Foam, and experienced artists exhibiting in the museum. She organizes masterclasses about buying photography and gives advice about art purchases or expanding an art collection, to both private collectors and corporations. Her personal art collection mainly consists of portraits.