The opening of La Caverne du Pont-Neuf postponed indefinitely by the JR team

When will it be able to welcome the public? JR’s grandiose Parisian installation was damaged on Wednesday by a gust. The opening, scheduled for Saturday June 6, had to be postponed. In a video posted on Instagram, its designer, JR, hinted at the extent of the repairs: “They must meticulously examine a work that is more than 120 meters long and 18 meters high”.

On Thursday, the artist’s press team clarified the circumstances of the incident. “Strong gusts of wind occurred while work was in progress on the exterior canvas, causing tears on the ends. Following this incident, the general inspection of the work revealed that the tearing of the canvas caused localized deterioration in three places of the inflatable envelope.we read, in a press release with a clinical and cautious tone.

Accessible for free

“A renovation process has been initiated and it will continue at least over the coming days and week. All of these operations are subject to weather hazards. Due to the safety of the teams presiding over them, they will only be able to take place when the weather conditions have returned to seasonal normal. The existing canvas will then be renovated in the workshop. » The new opening date, currently unclear, will be “defined” Then “communicated” later. “In the light of progress” of the renovation.

This project is intended to pay tribute to Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the first to have “packed” the Pont-Neuf, in 1985. Cave must welcome the public free of charge and 24 hours a day. Initially, the installation was scheduled to open from June 6 to 28.