JR's installation "La Caverne du Pont Neuf" has finally opened in Paris after a ten-day delay caused by severe weather that damaged the inflatable envelope. The work transforms the Pont Neuf into a 20-meter-wide, 120-meter-long immersive tunnel, paying homage to Christo and Jeanne-Claude's 1985 wrapped bridge. Visitors follow a one-way route through a monochrome, cave-like interior, with a commercial outlet at the Samaritaine selling merchandise designed in collaboration with the artist.
The installation raises questions about its artistic merit, with critics noting its resemblance to a theme-park attraction rather than a fine-art piece. While the technical achievement is impressive, the work lacks the subtlety and social engagement of Christo's original. The piece also resonates with a recent donation by the Fondation Antoine de Galbert of Julien Berthier's "L'Invisible" to the [mac] Marseille, another artificial rock work. JR's project draws crowds but generates little dialogue, contrasting with the lively exchanges Christo's work inspired.