16 February 2026
Florence
From October 18 to 26, 2025, Florence's Fortezza da Basso will be transformed into a major creative hub for the 15th Florence Biennale, an international contemporary art and design exhibition that once again confirms its role as a must-see event for those who love art that questions, provokes, and fascinates. The theme of this edition is The Sublime Essence of Light and Darkness. Concepts of Dualism and Unity in Contemporary Art and Design, or The sublime essence of light and darkness. Concepts of dualism and unity in contemporary art and design.
If you were waiting for the best opportunity to visit Florence... here it is in this article!
The theme: a journey between opposites that seek each other out
The 2025 edition explores the ancestral relationship between light and darkness—a dualism that has permeated human thought, philosophy, the visual arts, and science: from Heraclitus, Pythagoras, and Aristotle to Leonardo and Galileo, and beyond, to the modern physics of Newton and Einstein. Light as a physical phenomenon but also as a metaphor — of good, of life, of knowledge — and darkness as a necessity, a context, a foundation for light to be perceived. Not just opposition but complementarity, unity behind multiplicity.
The Biennale therefore presents itself not only as an aesthetic exhibition, but as a space for reflection: on the polarities that inhabit the world, on the fragile balance between certain opposites, on art that unites what often appears to be separate.
The central role of Tim Burton
One of the highlights of this edition is Tim Burton's solo exhibition "Light and Darkness," a world exclusive at the Florence Biennale. Curated by Sarah Brown, the exhibition will retrace the visionary imagination of the American director-artist through previously unseen works, immersive installations, sculptures, original drawings, models, and environments designed specifically for this exhibition.
On Tuesday, October 21, Tim Burton will also receive the prestigious "Lorenzo il Magnifico" Lifetime Achievement Award.
A surprising program full of unmissable events
In addition to the main exhibition with Tim Burton, the Biennale will offer a rich calendar of side events: performances, workshops, conferences, award ceremonies (including for emerging artists and designers), talks on the theme, and video projections.
An example? The inaugural event, to be held on the first day (October 18) at the Fortezza da Basso, with artistic performances such as "The (a)Mend – La (r)Ammenda" by Elisabetta Amoruso, which reflects on the dualism between light and darkness, good and evil, memory and healing.
In addition, there will be awards and recognitions for some of the most brilliant talents in international art and design.
Recognition for prominent figures in the world of design also stands out: in fact, it has been announced that Patricia Urquiola will receive the "Leonardo da Vinci" International Lifetime Achievement Award for Design, in recognition of her ability to combine experimentation, functional aesthetics, and sensitivity to nature, materials, and forms.
FLORENCE BIENNALE
OCTOBER 18-26, 2025
Fortezza da Basso
Viale Filippo Strozzi 1, Florence FI
Open to the public Saturday, October 18, 2 p.m.
Organizing office opening hours:
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday
For info: Visit the website
Tickets: Click here!
