After the severe weather that damaged JR's artwork, technical teams have begun restoration. It's a project whose duration remains uncertain.
No new opening date is yet known for artist JR's installation overlooking the Seine, now that repair work has begun. This process is expected to continue at least over the coming days and the week ahead, according to a statement from the project partners sent to Euronews.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
The giant artwork, conceived as a tribute to Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who wrapped the Pont Neuf in 1985, was damaged on Tuesday afternoon during a spell of strong gusts that swept across the capital. Technical experts and engineers on site confirmed that the incident was caused by an "exceptional weather phenomenon".
Limited damage and "weather-related hazards"
New information indicates that the tear in the canvas caused "localised deterioration in three parts of the inflatable shell".
The project teams stress that "the compartmentalisation of the shell and the safety systems put in place contained the incident".
The work under way will focus on two areas: repairing the outer canvas and the affected parts of the inflatable structure.
However, the repair operations can only be carried out once "weather conditions have returned to seasonal norms", the statement adds, stressing the safety of the teams working on site.
The torn canvas itself will be restored in a workshop. As for its reinstatement, "several options are being examined", given the colossal dimensions of the work: 2,400 m² of ground surface, 120 metres long, 20 metres wide and with high points ranging from 12 to 18 metres.
The work has been likened to other monumental installations that have sparked controversy, such as Paul McCarthy's Christmas tree or Alex Da Corte's inflatable frog, displayed on Place Vendôme in 2014 and 2025 respectively.
The inauguration of "La Caverne", designed to "question the public's relationship with the city", was initially scheduled for 6 June. A new date will only be set "in light of the progress" of the work.
