The Pont-Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris, will get a new look for two weeks in September 2025, thanks to the unique touch of the French artist JR. This street art master plans to transform the iconic structure into a surprising "cave", a tribute to the artistic audacity of the duo Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who captured everyone's imagination 40 years ago by wrapping this monument in fabric.
Quelle belle nouvelle que le « Projet Pont Neuf » de @JRart pour rendre hommage à @ChristoandJC, 40 ans après leur empaquetage du pont ! Cette œuvre monumentale va faire vivre une nouvelle fois l’art dans l’espace public et renouveler le regard sur Paris grâce à un grand artiste. pic.twitter.com/qfG1w0oFlZ
— Carine Rolland (@carine_rolland) December 13, 2024
Pont Neuf Wrapped, revival
In 1985, thanks to the expertise of 12 engineers and 300 specialized workers, the historic monument was wrapped in 41,800 square meters of fabric, held together by 13 kilometers of ropes and 12 tons of steel cables. A monumental masterpiece created by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, a couple of contemporary artists, admired by around three million amazed passersby over the course of two weeks, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The opportunity was just too good to miss for JR: the street artist, 41 years old, is set on realizing a Projet Pont-Neuf 2.0.
.
© Wolfgang Volz - 1985 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation
JR, the street art prodigy
But will the old fabric envelope be reproduced exactly? Imagining a pale copy would be to underestimate the creative genius of JR, known for his XXL collages on every continent. In a statement, the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation explains that the artist has rather thought of « large rock formations temporarily connecting the right and left banks of the Seine » in an installation « designed to be admired day and night » and « inspired by the quarries from which the stones that built the city were extracted
« The project will be funded by private funds», the statement clarifies, noting Anne Hidalgo's enthusiasm for this future work. « I am delighted by this gift to Paris and to all who love it», declared the socialist mayor of Paris.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
