Home / Arts and Entertainment / JR Transforms Pont Neuf into Giant "Cave"
JR Transforms Pont Neuf into Giant "Cave"
23 Feb
Summary
- Artist JR will turn Paris's Pont Neuf bridge into a walk-through cave.
- The immersive installation will feature sound and augmented reality.
- It pays tribute to Christo and Jeanne-Claude's 1985 bridge wrapping.
Paris's historic Pont Neuf bridge will be transformed into a massive, immersive installation titled "Pont Neuf Cavern" by artist JR from June 6-28. Known for his large-scale public art, JR aims to create the "largest immersive installation ever made," inviting visitors into a tunnel-like "cave" that reimagines the 17th-century structure. This ambitious undertaking is a tribute to the artistic duo Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who wrapped the same bridge in 1985.
The installation promises a unique sensory experience, featuring integrated soundscapes created by Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk and augmented reality developed by Snap's AR studio. JR likens the experience to Plato's allegory of the cave, suggesting modern phones can act as our contemporary caves, shaping our perception of reality. The bridge will be closed to traffic during the exhibition.
JR's "cave" will give the appearance of a prehistoric rock outcrop overtaking the bridge from afar, while inside, visitors will experience total immersion, losing track of time. Extensive engineering studies have ensured the structure's safety and stability. Visitor numbers will be managed in consultation with authorities, with continuous monitoring throughout the three-week exhibition.
