JR's Paris installation "La Caverne du Pont-Neuf" opening postponed due to wind damage

The highly anticipated opening of JR's "La Caverne du Pont-Neuf" installation in Paris, scheduled for Saturday, June 6, has been indefinitely postponed. The grand-scale artwork, spanning over 120 meters long and 18 meters high, sustained damage from strong wind gusts while repair work was underway.

According to a statement from the artist's press team, powerful winds caused tears at the extremities of the canvas. A subsequent inspection revealed localized deterioration in three areas of the inflatable structure due to the tearing of the canvas. JR himself had previously hinted at the extent of the necessary repairs in an Instagram video, noting the meticulous examination required for such a massive piece.

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Suite à cet incident, l’inspection générale de l’œuvre a permis de constater que l’arrachement de la toile a provoqué une détérioration localisée en trois endroits de l’enveloppe gonflable.

A repair process has been initiated, which is expected to continue for "at least the coming days and the week ahead." The statement emphasized that these operations are subject to weather conditions, and work can only proceed when the climate returns to seasonal norms for the safety of the teams involved. Following these initial repairs, the existing canvas will be renovated in a workshop.

The new opening date for the installation, which pays homage to Christo and Jeanne-Claude's 1985 "wrapping" of the Pont-Neuf, remains uncertain. It will be defined and communicated later, contingent on the progress of the repairs. The installation was intended to be accessible to the public free of charge, 24 hours a day, from June 6 to June 28.

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Un processus de réfection a été initié et il se prolongera a minima au cours des jours et de la semaine à venir.