Despite the tears in his “Caverne du Pont-Neuf”, JR keeps smiling

Unlike the many passers-by who wonder about the fate of The Cavern of Pont-Neuf and scrutinize the progress of the construction site every day, JR displays a disconcerting serenity. Where some see a damaged work, the artist prefers to speak of a simple setback.

The installation looks unfinished. At the ends of the Pont-Neuf, the damaged tarpaulins have disappeared, revealing the inflatable structure which supports the work. Since the postponement of the opening, initially scheduled for June 6, tourists and Parisians have been flocking to the area around the monument to try to understand what happened, especially since the closing date remains unchanged, June 28. Many leave with the same question: when will we finally be able to visit this immense artificial cave?

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“The teams need your strength”: JR notes the damage to La Caverne du Pont-Neuf

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A few meters away, the main person concerned does not seem to share these concerns. Arriving on the site to see the progress of the work and chat with his teams, JR displays an imperturbable calm. With a smile on his lips, the artist quickly brushes aside any idea of ​​disaster when he speaks directly to the Figaro : “Starting tomorrow, the resettlement will take place. It’s just a delay. »

Since the beginning of the establishment of this “Caverne-Neuve”, the weather conditions have posed numerous obstacles. During the first phase of the installation, on May 11, the teams had to deal with particularly low temperatures. The inflation of the structure was then postponed three times due to excessive gusts. For JR, the incident of June 2 absolutely does not call into question the existence of the project.

That day, a violent gust of wind rushed into the structure as crews were finishing stapling the tarps at the ends of the work. The interior of the Cave was already completed when the gusts tore off several sections of canvas, explains the artist. “People are still happy and that’s also part of the work. Christo and Jeanne Claude which my project echoes, had also suffered damage during installation”JR wants to reassure himself.

Near the bridge, the reactions of passers-by remain mixed. Some express their disappointment with the current state of the installation. Gérôme, encountered on the spot, does not hide his annoyance: “I would rather there be nothing than this, it spoils the landscape. » He quips while observing the partially bare structure: “It almost looks like a snow-capped mountain… but frankly, I prefer to fantasize rather than observe a somewhat disappointing reality. »

Transform the accident into a story

However, the artist refuses to see anything other than the usual hazards which contribute to the destiny of a work of this magnitude: “Today, the repairs are completed. The teams are now waiting for good weather conditions to reinstall the tarpaulins. »

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An operation that could be quick on paper but which depends on the strength of the wind. This uncertainty does not make it possible to determine an opening date. Here again, JR prefers to look at the glass half full. “I’m a little disappointed, of course. But the purpose does not change. The soul of the project still exists. The work continues and will continue to exist until its end”he says.

Jr has the art of rebounding. He thinks that certain artistic defects, a legacy of this little Parisian storm, could be preserved: “We are going to highlight certain tears caused by the wind to show that the work is still holding up and is not collapsing. This also goes with the soul of the project, which questions time. » A way of transforming a technical accident into an element of artistic storytelling. Faithful to the spirit of The Cavern of Pont-Neufwhich the artist describes in one of his first press releases as “drawing inspiration from both the past and present of this iconic bridge”the work will thus continue to evolve according to events.

A signing session under the sign of trust

Once the technical point with his teams is over, JR leaves the historic bridge to join the curious people gathered behind the barriers. Far from the image of an artist preoccupied by an unfortunate setback, he takes photographs, autographs and discussions with the public. Hat on his head, dark glasses on his nose, he happily takes selfies before returning to work with his colleagues.

To respond to public curiosity, around thirty mediators also took up positions around the site. Initially recruited to accompany visitors after the opening, they now tell the story of the project and the circumstances of the incident: “Ultimately, our role has not really changed, only we now have to manage the disappointment of certain visitors,” rejoices this faithful accomplice of JR.