No new opening date is yet known for JR's installation overlooking the Seine, even as repairs get under way. The process will continue "at a minimum over the coming days and the week ahead", according to a statement from the project's partners sent to Euronews.
The giant artwork, conceived as a tribute to Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who wrapped the Pont-Neuf in 1985, was damaged on Tuesday afternoon during a spell of violent gusts that swept through the capital. Technical experts and engineers deployed on site have confirmed that the incident was caused by an "exceptional weather event".
Limited damage and "weather hazards"
According to newly available information, the tear in the canvas caused "localised damage in three areas of the inflatable envelope".
The project teams stress that "the compartmentalisation of the envelope and the safety systems put in place contained the incident".
