Establishing a dialogue between past and present, JR's vision for "La Caverne du Pont Neuf" takes as its reference point the quarries from which the bridge's stones were extracted, highlighting the origins of Paris's historical architecture. This intervention challenges the refined elegance of the City of Light by confronting it with the rawness of the wild.
Renowned for its rich history and picturesque views of the Seine, the Pont Neuf, which translates as "New Bridge," was completed in 1607 and was the first bridge in Paris not built with wood, constructed entirely of Lutetian limestone. It was the first crossing in the city to include paved sidewalks, facilitating pedestrian use and stimulating the dynamic Parisian street life.
Christo and Jeanne-Claude. The Pont Neuf Wrapped, Paris, 1975-85. Paris, 1985. Photograph by Wolfgang Volz. Courtesy of Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation.
“My vision for this project is rooted in both the past and present of this iconic bridge. I admire the legacy of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, and I share their idea that the mission of art is to make us think, to question what is familiar to us. The debate that a public art project can provoke is of equal value to its realization. Art is a transformation, and a way of renewing the way we look at the world around us. Through the dream of La Caverne du Pont Neuf, this is what I hope to make possible in Paris.”
JR.
The interior of the artwork, a series of interactive experiences will expand the physical installation into a dynamic journey. To carry out this decision, JR enlisted the expertise of Snap Inc.’s AR Studio Paris, the center of excellence for the creation and research of augmented reality, putting innovation at the service of an ambitious artistic vision rooted in heritage.
Christo and Jeanne-Claude. The Pont Neuf Wrapped, Paris, 1975-85. Paris, 1985. Photograph by Wolfgang Volz. Courtesy of Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation.
“It will be a symbolic crossing, a step into the unknown, a journey within oneself. I designed the crossing of La Caverne as an experience where fullness and emptiness exist in balance.”
JR.
As an acoustic visual artist, Thomas Bangalter, former member of the duo Daft Punk, will participate in the project by imagining the sonic dimension of the intervention. Through a radical, conceptual approach, the musician proposes to sculpt a sonic material from electroacoustic elements, in keeping with the monolithic and mystical aspect of the work.
Preparatory studies for La Caverne du Pont Neuf. Paris, 2026. Photograph by Atelier JR.
Advocating for minimal environmental impact, air will be the central component of the artwork. The intervention will be mounted on a double-walled inflatable support with permanent ventilation. Slightly pressurized, the air will fill 80 structural canvas arches and shape the exterior of "La Caverne du Pont Neuf." A printed fabric, acting as an enveloping membrane, will create a trompe-l'œil sculptural effect, resulting in a work with a rocky appearance.
For JR, "La Caverne du Pont Neuf" represents a culmination of an artistic cycle that began in 2020, during which the growing disconnection and isolation among citizens, particularly exacerbated by the pandemic and successive lockdowns, has been continually questioned. During its three-week run, the transformation of the iconic bridge into a cave invites the public to enjoy an unforgettable stay, fostering clarity, unity, and harmony among all.
