2025 · XV Florence Biennale “Light and Darkness”
Supported and institutionally co-promoted by the National Association of Fine Arts of Italy (ANBAI), ISOLART ART CENTER, and other official partners, the XV Florence Biennale opened to the public at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence and is running from 18 to 26 October.
This year’s edition explores the theme “The Sublime Essence of Light and Darkness: Concepts of Dualism and Unity in Contemporary Art and Design,” approaching the dual forces at the core of human experience through an interdisciplinary lens. From aesthetics to technology, from philosophy to social narratives, the Biennale examines how art and design can generate new models of “unity” emerging from states of “opposition.”
This year’s edition explores the theme “The Sublime Essence of Light and Darkness: Concepts of Dualism and Unity in Contemporary Art and Design,” approaching the dual forces at the core of human experience through an interdisciplinary lens. From aesthetics to technology, from philosophy to social narratives, the Biennale examines how art and design can generate new models of “unity” emerging from states of “opposition.”
Now a firmly established event within Florence’s cultural ecosystem — and approaching its thirtieth anniversary — the Florence Biennale reaffirms its role as an international platform for contemporary art and design. Marking this strategic milestone, the spotlight is placed on two leading figures invited to this edition: world-renowned architect and designer Patricia Urquiola, and acclaimed filmmaker and artist Tim Burton. Through their presence, their bodies of work, and their special presentations at the Biennale, they embody the curatorial focus of the edition. “Light and Darkness” becomes a metaphor for dualism and the equilibrium between opposites — a set of ideas explored since antiquity and still central to artistic practice, where the artist operates as the key mediator of this enduring tension.
Reinforcing its “artist-centered” curatorial model, the Florence Biennale positions international artists and designers as active protagonists. Alongside the exhibition program, the event features public talks, academic dialogues, live performances, workshops, and award ceremonies — creating a multidimensional platform that activates both the city’s cultural energy and its creative-industrial value chain.
Within this global evaluation framework, the group of Chinese artists supported jointly by ISOLART GALLERY and the Associazione Nazionale di Belle Arti d’Italia (Italian National Association of Fine Arts) has achieved a substantive breakthrough and entered core award positions in the official award system of this year’s Florence Biennale:
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Chen Gang (China) won First Prize – Sculpture in the Sculpture category, taking the leading position in that discipline.
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Chen Xiao (China) received Third Prize – Photography in the Photography category.
Yan Zhang (China) was ranked among the top five in the Painting category and received Fifth Prize – Painting.
