A Monumental Tribute: Revisiting a Parisian Icon
The enigmatic French artist JR is set to undertake the most ambitious project of his career next summer, wrapping the historic Pont Neuf bridge in Paris in a monumental tribute to the legendary artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude. This large-scale public art installation, scheduled for June 2025, will mark the 40th anniversary of the original wrapping of the bridge, creating a powerful link between artistic generations.
In an exclusive interview from his Paris studio, the artist, known for his signature fedora and sunglasses, revealed that the Pont Neuf Cavern project is his biggest challenge to date. The 232-metre (761ft) long bridge, the oldest standing bridge across the Seine, will be entirely covered in fabric for a three-week period, from 6 June to 28 June 2025.
From Graffiti to Global Fame: The Artist's Journey
JR's artistic journey began as a teenage graffiti artist in the Parisian banlieues, a world far removed from the established art scene. He was just two years old when Christo and Jeanne-Claude completed their iconic wrap in 1985. "Obviously, I didn't know about it at the time, and art really came late into my life," JR confessed. "I really didn't come from this art world. I was not familiar with it at all."
His discovery of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's work later in life had a profound impact. "I knew the [Pont Neuf] project had had a major impact on my city and it made me wish I'd been there," he said. Now, he has the opportunity to create his own mark. "To be asked to do something 40 years later on the same bridge is a huge responsibility but also an incredible moment for me to create something truly mesmerising."
Since the mid-2000s, JR has become a global phenomenon, bringing his large-scale photographic installations to cities worldwide. His work, which often focuses on giving a voice to the marginalised, ranges from stunning trompe l'œil illusions to powerful portraits. In 2010, the Guardian hailed him as the "hippest street artist since Banksy."
Continuing a Legacy: The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation's Blessing
The project was initiated by Vladimir Yavachev, the nephew of Christo and director of the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation. Yavachev sought an artist influenced by his uncle's work to commemorate the anniversary and immediately thought of JR. "When I called him and asked if he'd be interested, he loved the idea," Yavachev said, confirming that JR has been given complete artistic freedom.
This stands in stark contrast to the struggles Christo faced in 1985, when he had to persuade the then-mayor of Paris, Jacques Chirac, to grant permission. For JR's project, the current mayor, Anne Hidalgo, along with the city police chief and President Emmanuel Macron, gave their immediate approval.
The technical execution of the Pont Neuf Cavern is a massive undertaking, involving dozens of engineers and hundreds of workers. JR emphasised the transparency of the process, stating, "The critical thing about doing public art is that you can literally see the whole process. People will be able to see every single step. There'll be nothing hidden from them." Importantly, the bridge will remain open to the public throughout the installation.
While the exact cost of the project, funded privately, remains undisclosed, Yavachev echoed the philosophy of his aunt, Jeanne-Claude: "It will cost what it has to cost." JR's vision is to transform the familiar Parisian landmark into a "big rock formation in the middle of the city," a disruptive and awe-inspiring sight that promises to captivate Paris and the world, just as the original did four decades ago.
