By Rebecca Ceccatelli. Cover image, a collage of Untitled Penguin Boy and Untitled Percepto, all artworks by Tim Burton showcased at the exhibition Light and Darkness in Florence
Your Guide to Tim Burton’s Darkly Magical World at Florence Biennale
From October 18 to 26, the Florence Biennale turns the Fortezza da Basso into a playground of imagination — and a rare window into the singular world of Tim Burton. The filmmaker behind The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, and Corpse Bride is known for creating universes where gothic charm meets playful surrealism, where shadows and light collide in stories that feel both eerie and tender. In its 15th edition, the Biennale presents over 1,500 artworks from 84 countries, but Burton’s Light and Darkness exhibition offers something unique: an immersive journey into a mind where fantasy, melancholy, and humor entwine, inviting visitors to step inside his unforgettable vision.
Every two years, the event transforms the Fortezza da Basso into a vast exhibition space, hosting works inspired by a central theme chosen for each edition. It’s a celebration of global creativity that transcends national and European borders. This year’s Biennale will feature more than 1,500 artworks from 84 countries, offering visitors an inclusive and comprehensive overview of contemporary artistic expression — an unmissable event for anyone passionate about art and culture.
However, for those who might not usually be drawn to this kind of exhibition, this year offers an extra reason to visit. After all, who hasn’t heard of Tim Burton? The visionary filmmaker and artist will be the Biennale’s special guest, presenting a solo exhibition titled Light and Darkness, curated in collaboration with the Biennale’s team. His presence is set to attract not only art enthusiasts but also a wider audience fascinated by his unique imagination — making this edition of the Florence Biennale one of the most exciting yet.
Tim Burton’s Evolution: From Cult Classics to Contemporary Icon
Recently back in the spotlight for the release of the second season of Netflix’s acclaimed series Wednesday, Tim Burton remains one of the most distinctive and celebrated filmmakers of our time. His fame, however, is not just the result of his long list of box office successes or high-profile collaborations — it lies in the singular world he has built over the years.
Today, we may all know Corpse Bride, The Nightmare Before Christmas, or Burton’s reinterpretation of Dumbo, for his devoted fans that follow him even in his more unconventional or less “Burtonesque” works. But the director we know today didn’t always enjoy such widespread recognition. Few may remember, in fact, early works like Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Vincent, or Ed Wood —projects made on shoestring budgets, yet rich in the darkly whimsical atmosphere that would later define his style. Because at that time, investing in Burton, in his pale-faced characters, hollow eyes, and bittersweet gothic humor, was truly a leap of faith.
Today, some might argue that Burton’s magic has faded, or at least evolved — perhaps because he has ventured beyond his signature aesthetic, taking on projects that challenge him as a storyteller and as an artist. Whether driven by curiosity, necessity, or artistic growth, these shifts show his willingness to evolve while still carrying that unmistakable spark of his imagination.
And perhaps that’s exactly why his presence at the Florence Biennale 2025 feels so significant. Because, whether you admire his earliest stop-motion experiments or his latest cinematic ventures, everyone knows Tim Burton — one way or another. And it’s precisely this universal recognition, this ability to blend darkness with beauty, that has led to his arrival in Florence: to present “Light and Darkness”, a journey into the very heart of his artistic world.
Inside Tim Burton’s “Light and Darkness” Exhibition in Florence
On the occasion of his Florence stop — a moment where his art pauses and converges in a truly special showcase — Tim Burton presents his solo exhibition, Light and Darkness. The title immediately resonates with the overarching theme of the 15th Florence Biennale: “The Sublime Essence of Light and Darkness: Concepts of Dualism and Unity in Contemporary Art and Design.”
The connection feels almost inevitable. The theme perfectly mirrors the central tension running through Burton’s work — a constant interplay of opposites. It embodies the very genre he has carved out in cinema: one that explores the coexistence of light and shadow, humor and melancholy, dream and nightmare. Within these contrasts, Burton builds his own liminal worlds — spaces where stories unfold and characters come to life, suspended between innocence and strangeness, tenderness and the macabre.
The exhibition offers visitors an immersive journey through over fifty works spread across multiple interconnected rooms, blending familiar favorites with brand-new creations. Some pieces are drawn from Burton’s traveling exhibitions, which have introduced audiences worldwide to the lesser-known corners of his imagination, while others were created exclusively for the Florence Biennale 2025, making this a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
From Sketches to Carousels: Explore Tim Burton’s Art in Florence
The journey begins with an installation featuring a rich selection of sketches, notebooks, and personal drawings chosen by Tim Burton himself, setting the tone for the interplay of light, shadow, and fantastical storytelling that permeates the show. Visitors encounter enigmatic sculptural figures and innovative 3D works designed to heighten perception and invite a more interactive experience of the art.
One of the highlights is an immersive room bathed in fluorescent light, centered around a carousel designed by the artist. This space transforms the exhibition into a vibrant, dreamlike environment, where playful references to American pop culture are reimagined through Burton’s distinctive lens of irony and wonder.
Another key section celebrates the twentieth anniversary of Corpse Bride, presenting original sketches, character models, and sculptures that bring the film’s protagonists to life. Additional rooms feature selections inspired by other iconic films, as well as rarer works and characters that reflect the poetically melancholic side of Burton’s imagination — fragile, whimsical figures that evoke the darker yet tender aspects of childhood.
The exhibition concludes with a small projection room, highlighting the audiovisual dimension of Burton’s work and reminding visitors of his cinematic roots, leaving them with a lasting impression of his singular universe.
Tim Burton Honored with Lorenzo il Magnifico Career Award in Florence
With “Tim Burton: Light and Darkness,” Florence celebrates not just a filmmaker, but a multidisciplinary artist who, over the course of his career, has transcended genre boundaries to create an instantly recognizable visual language.
The exhibition is both a tribute and an invitation: to mark the occasion, on Tuesday, October 21, at 5:00 PM, in the theater area of the Florence Biennale (Padiglione Spadolini, Fortezza da Basso), Burton will be honored with the “Lorenzo il Magnifico” Career Award, recognizing his outstanding contribution to visual art. The award ceremony, held in the presence of the artist, promises to be a highlight of the Biennale and a special moment for all celebrating his extraordinary universe.
Has your curiosity been piqued? Now all that’s left is to visit the exhibition… and who knows, you might even bump into Tim Burton himself on the streets of Florence.
Wanna dive deeper into Tim Burton’s world? Read more here.
