ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

JR Transforms Paris's Pont Neuf into Immersive Cavern Installation

exhibition · 2026-04-26

French artist JR has introduced 'La Caverne du Pont Neuf', a significant public art project located on the historic Pont Neuf, Paris's oldest bridge. This installation, open until June 28, reimagines the 1607 bridge as a vast cavern with a 120-meter-long inflatable structure that spans 2,400 square meters, crafted from nearly 19,000 square meters of fabric and filled with 20,000 cubic meters of air. Paying tribute to Christo and Jeanne-Claude's 1985 wrapping of the bridge, JR draws inspiration from the quarries that provided limestone for its construction. The immersive experience features a soundscape by Thomas Bangalter, augmented reality visuals from Snap's AR Studio Paris, and unique scents designed with olfactory researcher Sarah Bouasse. Despite a damaging hailstorm on June 2, JR opted to highlight repairs by emphasizing seams in black. Collaborating with the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation over 18 months, a full-scale prototype was created in a former aircraft hangar near Paris. The environmentally conscious design utilizes locally sourced fabrics and low-carbon energy, with intentions to recycle materials post-installation.

Key facts

  • JR's 'La Caverne du Pont Neuf' transforms Paris's Pont Neuf into a cavern installation.
  • Open through June 28, the installation covers 2,400 square meters with an inflatable structure.
  • The project pays homage to Christo and Jeanne-Claude's 1985 wrapping of the Pont Neuf.
  • Features sound by Thomas Bangalter, AR by Snap's AR Studio Paris, and scent by Sarah Bouasse and Odore Scola.
  • A June 2 hailstorm damaged the installation; repairs were made visible with black seams.
  • Developed over 18 months with the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation.
  • A full-scale prototype was built in a former aircraft hangar near Paris.
  • The inflatable design uses locally manufactured fabrics and low-carbon energy.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation
  • Snap's AR Studio Paris
  • Odore Scola
  • Whitewall
  • L'Amicale des Ponts de Paris
  • Snap Inc.
  • Bloomberg Philanthropies
  • Paris Aéroport
  • Salesforce
  • Air Toiles Concept
  • Perrotin
  • France TV
  • Artnet News
  • Dasartes
  • Atelier JR
  • Daft Punk
  • Snap AR Studio Paris
  • Galerie Perrotin
  • Connaissance des Arts
  • Fondation Christo et Jeanne-Claude
  • Snap
  • AR Studio Paris
  • Bloomberg Connects
  • Ville de Paris
  • l'Amicale des ponts de Paris
  • Le Journal des Arts
  • Inrae
  • Wallpaper*
  • The New York Times
  • National Public Radio
  • Fortune
  • SmartPlanet
  • Associated Press
  • Fondation Antoine de Galbert
  • [mac] Marseille
  • La Samaritaine
  • Palais Garnier
  • Opéra National de Paris
  • Stazione Centrale di Milano
  • Comune di Parigi
  • Louvre
  • Art Basel
  • Beaux Arts
  • Brigade de recherche et d'intervention (BRI)
  • Hôtel de Ville de Paris
  • Documenta
  • Oberhausen Gasometer
  • Belmond
  • LVMH
  • Guardian
  • Beaux Arts Magazine
  • Artribune
  • Opéra de Paris
  • designboom
  • Dezeen
  • Musée du Louvre
  • City of Paris
  • New York Times
  • Printemps
  • RFI
  • Charles de Gaulle Airport

Locations

  • Paris
  • France
  • Pont Neuf
  • Seine
  • Florence
  • Rome
  • Milan
  • Lviv
  • Los Angeles
  • Kassel
  • Orly airport
  • Charles de Gaulle airport
  • Eiffel Tower
  • Brittany
  • Plougoumelen
  • Central Park
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Opéra Garnier
  • Trocadéro
  • Pyramide du Louvre
  • Marais
  • 76 rue de Turenne
  • Pont-Neuf
  • Paris 75001
  • Paris 75006
  • rue de Turenne
  • Morbihan
  • Orly
  • Montfermeil
  • Clichy-sous-Bois
  • Les Bosquets
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • Nairobi
  • Toulouse
  • Place du Pont Neuf Christo et Jeanne Claude
  • Quai du Louvre
  • Marseille
  • Parigi
  • Rive Droite
  • Rive Gauche
  • Île de la Cité
  • Senna
  • Milano
  • Italy
  • Germany
  • Oberhausen
  • Louvre
  • Paris Opera
  • Palazzo Farnese
  • Palazzo Strozzi
  • Vannes
  • Brazil
  • Notre Dame
  • Louvre Museum
  • Venice
  • Montpellier
  • Bassin parisien
  • tour Eiffel
  • Palais Garnier
  • Orly Airport
  • Notre-Dame Cathedral
  • Paris Basin
  • Place du Pont Neuf Christo et Jeanne-Claude
  • Left Bank
  • Right Bank
  • West Texas
  • United States
  • Charles de Gaulle Airport

Sources

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