The launch of French artist JR’s latest monumental intervention—the wrapping of the Pont Neuf in Paris—has been postponed after the work was damaged. The temporary inflatable piece, known as La Caverne du Pont Neuf, was initially due to open from 6 to 28 June. According to Euronews, the vast trompe l’oeil canvas surrounding the bridge was torn during a recent storm. JR’s studio was contacted for comment.
“Earlier today [2 June], La Caverne du Pont Neuf experienced damage. The project's technical experts are currently working to establish the exact circumstances that led to the incident. As soon as the assessment has been completed, we will communicate its findings… a new opening date will be determined in light of the conclusions of the ongoing assessment,” says a project statement.
The new public art work pays homage to Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s 1985 project, The Pont Neuf Wrapped which involved wrapping the 419-year-old bridge in fabric. “The installation [is not funded by] government sources. It is funded by the sale of JR's works along with private support, including Snap Inc., Bloomberg Philanthropies, Paris Aéroport, and Salesforce,” says a statement posted on JR’s website.
JR is known for his vast public works including the series Déplacé·e·s (2022-2023) whereby the artist unfurls large-scale images of refugee children across cities such as Turin in Italy and Lviv in Ukraine. Another work, Migrants: Mayra, Picnic across the Border (2022), comprises a gigantic scaffolding installation of a toddler peeking over the US-Mexico border.