The first visitors discover the interior of the "Cavern of Pont-Neuf" by J.R.

Phones in hand, they are the first to survey La Caverne of Pont-Neuf. Short videos, selfies, everything is good to announce that, this time, yes, we are inside! “We were really waiting for it to open.” says one of these explorers who feels privileged. “I suddenly saw on Instagram that we could go there, we went for it. It’s great, there aren’t many people there yet!”

Retardée, déchirée, reprisée, The Caverns finally opened its doors on Monday June 15, at 6 p.m., almost by surprise. The canvas damaged by the weather now has a scar. In front of the journalists summoned unexpectedly, JR smiled: “In fact, we were ready and we just couldn’t wait to open.” But what is really behind this entrance that looks like a funfair attraction?

What strikes you first is the impressive work done on the interior canvas. Vaults, pillars, draperies are outlined with precision. The absence of support structures reinforces the impression of actually walking inside a cave, even if on the ground, the cobblestones and white lines of the Pont-Neuf are still there.

In this organic gut blows the wind of Thomas Bangalter. “It’s a continuous and very minimal sound“, précise l’ex-Daft-Punk, a synthetic sound fabric in homage to the polyamide canvas used by Christo and Jeanne-Claude.” A 100% analog sound, insists the musician, who did not want to use a computer but know-how.artisanal, real and tangible“. Undeniably, the result, broadcast by forty speakers scattered behind the canvas, gives depth to the illusion. We sometimes imagine hidden tunnels or a distant underground river.

“I’m not disappointed, it’s super impressive, comments Raphaël, won over. The 360 ​​degree trompe l’eye printing work is incredible. A hell of an experience, very immersive“The diffusion of a smell, a little synthetic, of humus and wet earth enhances the experience. A QR code to scan on your phone makes bats or shadows appear on the walls. It’s far from being the most successful.”But it’s clearly prettier inside than outside.“, comments an elderly visitor treacherously. Camille, in her twenties, remains perplexed: “I admit that we need to find out more about the artistic approach. This challenges us, we want to know more. Why a cave? To contrast the natural environment with the urban environment?“. “Rather to remind us of the origins of the bridge, the stone, advances another visitor. She came from a quarry in Oise, I believe?”

“Artistic mediators” are there to decipher the work and the symbolism of Plato’s cave. But JR himself agrees: the main thing is not the concept, but that people take hold of his work.”It’s a sensory adventure that everyone will experience in their own way. This is where the work escapes me.” The visitors’ questions, their pleasure in talking about it, prove that from this point of view, The Caverns is rather successful. This is the true tribute to the work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Exactly like their works, The Caverns of JR will ultimately remain in place for 14 days.