French artist JR's giant 'cave' installation over Paris' oldest bridge appears damaged

(2 Jun 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: MUST ON-SCREEN COURTESY "AP PHOTOS CAPTURED FROM CHEVAL BLANC PARIS" ON SHOTS OVERLOOKING BRIDGE /TERRACE ASSOCIATED PRESS Paris, France - 2 June 2026 1. Various of damage to the installation La Caverne du Pont Neuf by artist JR over a Paris bridge. ASSOCIATED PRESS - MUST ON-SCREEN COURTESY "AP PHOTOS CAPTURED FROM CHEVAL BLANC PARIS" ON SHOTS OVERLOOKING BRIDGE / TERRACE Paris, France - May 2026 ++MUTED++ 2. Various timelapses of installation set up on bridge from May 2026 ++NIGHT SHOTS++ 3. Various of installation after set up STORYLINE: One of the most ambitious public artworks Paris has seen in decades — funded by the sale of artist JR’s work and a handful of corporate partners — that was recently set up appeared damaged on Tuesday. The installation La Caverne du Pont Neuf by the artist JR, which looks like an inflatable cave, was set to open for the public June 6. JR's team said: "The project's technical experts are currently working to establish the exact circumstances that led to the incident. "As soon as the assessment has been completed, we will communicate its findings. "In the meantime, the decision has been made to postpone the opening of the installation." The structure is 120 meters (393 feet) long and 18 meters (59 feet) tall — as high as a six-story building. Yet it is built almost entirely from air — 80 fabric arches filled with 20,000 cubic meters of it — and weighs only about five tons. The fabric was hand-stitched by 25 artisans in a village in Brittany. =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...