Homage to Christo and Jeanne-Claude

In September 2025, Paris will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s iconic The Pont Neuf Wrapped installation with a new, large-scale project by contemporary artist JR. The original 1985 installation transformed the Pont Neuf bridge into a monumental artwork, enveloping it in 41,800 square meters of fabric, which attracted three million visitors over two weeks. To honor this groundbreaking work, JR will collaborate with the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation to reimagine the bridge in his own unique style through Projet Pont Neuf.

The installation will take the form of a large-scale transformation, turning the historic bridge into a stone-like cave, drawing inspiration from Paris’ quarries that provided the city’s iconic stones. By juxtaposing the elegance of the city with raw, untamed textures, JR’s vision will create a striking dialogue between nature and architecture. The two-week installation will invite the public to reflect on Paris’ evolving relationship with its urban landscape.

JR’s work will echo Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s belief that art should provoke thought and engage the public. The project has received strong support from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who fondly recalls her experience with the original wrapping of the Pont Neuf. JR’s project is set to continue Paris’s commitment to public art, drawing on the legacy of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s visionary works.