Tim Burton's universe at the Florence Biennale in Florence

Until October 26, over fifty works explore the dualism of light and darkness at the heart of the director's creative universe

Until 26 October at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence, the 15th edition of the Florence Biennale welcomes the unprecedented solo exhibition Tim Burton: Light and Darkness, curated by the artist himself together with the Florence Biennale. The exhibition was conceived specifically for the Florentine biennale and is in direct dialogue with the main theme of this edition: 'The Sublime Essence of Light and Darkness. Concepts of Dualism and Unity in Contemporary Art and Design'.
The title of the exhibition, chosen personally by Burton, not only refers to the dualism between light and darkness at the heart of the 2025 edition of the Biennale, but also makes explicit the dialectical tension that runs through all his work: the coexistence of light and dark, irony and melancholy, dream and nightmare. It is in this constant oscillation that lies the poetic core of an artist who, more than others, has been able to give shape to an aesthetic capable of seducing the general public without renouncing a deeply personal language.

The Exhibition

The exhibition itinerary

The exhibition presents over fifty works spread across five rooms. One section consists of works that over the years have revealed the lesser-known side of the director to fans around the world; another section, on the other hand, consists of new and exclusive creations, making the Florentine exhibition a unique opportunity for all enthusiasts.

The exhibition opens with an installation accompanied by a large collection of drawings, albums and notebooks personally selected by Tim Burton, and continues through interconnected rooms full of surprises. Among the wonders of the first room are three enigmatic resin creatures, illuminated by a sophisticated play of light and shadow that enhances their mysterious and fantastical aura. The same room also features three new three-dimensional lenticular works, including Percepto and Blue Girl with Wine, together with 3D holograms, tools designed to intensify the visual experience and engage the viewer in a deeper and more dynamic perception of the images.

The journey continues to the spectacular Carousel Room, an immersive environment with UV lighting and polychrome backdrops made in the United States, which welcomes visitors into a fluorescent vortex, where the carousel designed and created by Tim Burton becomes the centrepiece of a visionary landscape.

Untitled Percepto ©TimBurton

Among the exclusive creations for this exhibition, the replica of the illuminated sign designed by Burton — the original of which is now preserved at the Neon Museum in Las Vegas — pays homage to American popular culture, transforming itself in the artist's hands into a symbol of an imaginary world capable of blending nostalgia, irony and wonder.
The last room houses one of the most eagerly awaited sections: the one dedicated to the film Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, on the twentieth anniversary of its release, now recognised as one of Burton's absolute masterpieces. Alongside an original drawing are the authentic models of the protagonists Victor and Emily, displayed in two versions: the armour provided by the famous Mackinnon and Saunders studio, and the final puppets as we know them from the screen.
Alongside the section dedicated to Corpse Bride, the fifth and final room also features references to other cinematic masterpieces such as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, presented through a selection of drawings.
No less significant is the space reserved for works and characters that have had more limited distribution but are part of Burton's most intimate and poetic soul