JR's La Caverne du Pont Neuf delayed after storm damage

The opening of French artist JR’s monumental public art installation, “La Caverne du Pont Neuf,” has been postponed after the temporary structure was damaged by high winds and heavy rain in Paris this week. The artwork, an inflatable printed canvas designed to resemble a craggy rock face draped over the city’s oldest bridge, was scheduled to open to the public on June 6 and remain accessible until June 28.

Organizers announced the delay on Tuesday, June 2, just days before the planned inauguration. A joint statement from Atelier JR, the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation, and the Amicale des Ponts de Paris confirmed the postponement, noting that technical experts are currently assessing the exact circumstances and extent of the damage. Visual evidence posted on social media showed a torn canvas revealing its inflatable support structure. A new opening date will be determined following the completion of this assessment, with organizers pledging to communicate their findings.

The installation is conceived as a tribute to the iconic 1985 artwork “The Pont Neuf Wrapped” by the artist duo Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who enveloped the same bridge in fabric. JR’s work, which has been...