At its heart, the tale of a wooden puppet named Pinocchio is about doing the right thing — and how redemption can restore life to its fullest measure. The story has been retooled many times over the centuries since its birth: From the Italian children’s novel published in the early 1880s to the 1940 Disney musical animated film, Pinocchio is an icon in many cultures.

Pinocchio puppets in production at ShadowMachine's workshop | Photo courtesy of Netflix

The latest Pinocchio portrayal follows its predecessors’ footsteps regarding the general storyline, but it severs all ties to the artistic styles that came before. “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” sets itself apart — and not just because it bears the filmmaker’s name in its title. A new exhibit at the Portland Art Museum whittles away at the many layers of art, craft, and storytelling, and offers a behind-the-strings look at the Oscar-winning stop-motion animated film made in Portland.

The “Guillermo del Toro: Crafting Pinocchio” exhibit — first opened at The Museum of Modern Art in New York — takes an in-depth look at the project, which took a full decade to bring to the big screen. Spread across 8,000+ sqft, the exhibit guides visitors through the creation and collective artistry that brought del Toro’s vision to life.

Guillermo del Toro considers the film a companion installment in a trilogy including "Devil’s Backbone" and "Pan’s Labyrinth" about themes of childhood and war. | Photo courtesy of Jason Schmidt/Netflix

Take a peek behind the curtain and see how local cinematic artists at Portland-based animation studio ShadowMachine make their magic. You’ll get to learn about stop-motion technology and see the intricate steps that go into creating a full-length movie. Classes, programs, and a screening series are also part of the experience.

“Guillermo del Toro: Crafting Pinocchio” is open now through Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. The film “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” is available to stream on Netflix.