This iconic Paris landmark is now a ‘surreal’ homage to the material that built the city

French street artist JR unveiled a new installation on the Pont Neuf in Paris on June 1, 2024, transforming the 419-year-old bridge into a surreal homage to the material that built the city. Titled "La Caverne du Pont Neuf," the free exhibition, on view until June 28, features an inflatable envelope wrapped in canvas printed with an image of Lutetian limestone, the stone used to construct the bridge and Paris itself. This project is a direct tribute to the iconic 1985 installation "The Pont Neuf Wrapped" by artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, whose work deeply inspired JR. JR aimed to create an artificial cave and a trompe-l'œil effect, contrasting with Christo and Jeanne-Claude's approach of highlighting the bridge's existing forms. The realization of JR's installation involved approximately 850 workers and partners, with materials sourced locally and fabric produced in Europe. The project was initiated when Vladimir Yavachev, Christo's nephew, invited JR to create a piece for the 40th anniversary of the original "The Pont Neuf Wrapped."