Global Pulse

分类： entertainment

  • Dragon Boat Festival links modern China to traditions more than 2,000 years old

    Dragon Boat Festival links modern China to traditions more than 2,000 years old

    Across mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, millions of people gathered Friday to mark the annual Dragon Boat Festival, a millennia-old cultural celebration that blends historic legend, ancient philosophical beliefs, and lively communal competition. What began more than 2,000 years ago as a festival tied to summer solstice rhythms and traditional concepts of health and cosmic balance has grown into one of China’s most vibrant and widely observed cultural holidays, centered on its iconic signature event: competitive dragon boat racing.

    Unlike many modern holidays that have shed much of their original cultural context, the Dragon Boat Festival retains deep roots in Chinese history and folk tradition. Historians note the celebration’s origins stretch back to ancient beliefs surrounding the summer solstice, when shifting seasonal energy created imbalance between yin and yang. Communities developed rituals aimed at restoring harmony, protecting public health, and aligning human activity with the natural world.

    “Of all traditional Chinese festivals, the Dragon Boat Festival stands out as the richest and most diverse in its customs,” explained Liu Xiaofeng, a history professor at Tsinghua University. “Across China’s different regions, local communities built out a wide range of unique traditions, all rooted in core ideas connected to the summer solstice and balancing yin and yang energies.”

    For most around the world, the festival is most closely linked to the legendary story of Qu Yuan, an ancient Chinese poet and scholar who, according to centuries-old lore, drowned himself in a river over political injustice more than 2,000 years ago. Out of respect and grief, local residents rushed out onto the water in long boats to search for his body, and threw packets of rice into the river to prevent fish from feeding on his remains. These acts of mourning eventually evolved into the two most iconic Dragon Boat traditions: dragon boat racing and zongzi, the savory sticky rice dumplings still enjoyed by families across the country today.

    This year’s celebrations kicked off with a three-day competitive racing event hosted in Beijing, running through June 21 along the capital’s historic Grand Canal. The tournament features separate men’s, women’s, and mixed-team divisions, with races contested over 100-meter, 200-meter, and 500-meter courses. Dozens of teams from five regions across China — including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, and Guangdong — have traveled to the capital to compete over the holiday weekend.

    On the opening day of the competition, rowers kept perfectly synchronized strokes to the thunderous rhythm of on-board drummers, each long, colorful dragon boat surging forward through the water as crowds of spectators along the banks cheered for their favorite teams. For those who could not attend in person, many gathered at home with family, eating zongzi and watching broadcast coverage of the races.

    “The competition didn’t just help our team build stronger teamwork and spirit,” said Li Maoshan, a competitor who took part in Friday’s opening races. “It also gave all of us a chance to show the values of perseverance and dedication that this tradition has carried for centuries.”

    In Hong Kong, Friday’s races added an extra touch of playful creativity, with some competitors dressing in themed costumes, including a playful cartoon iteration of Ne Zha, a beloved deity from Chinese Taoist tradition.

    This report included contributions from AP video producer Liu Zheng in Beijing and AP reporter Kanis Leung in Hong Kong. Associated Press religion and cultural coverage receives support through a collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The Associated Press is solely responsible for all content in this report.

  • A Miami art exhibit is celebrating Africa’s soccer legacy throughout the World Cup

    A Miami art exhibit is celebrating Africa’s soccer legacy throughout the World Cup

    MIAMI (AP) — Near the entrance of a new Miami art exhibition, a striking photograph captures Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior mid-goal celebration, one fist raised high in triumph. It hangs adjacent to a vivid acrylic work by Tasanee Durrett, depicting a Black woman heading a soccer ball, her dreadlocks floating mid-air. A glass-cased replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy anchors the nearby display space, encircled by an array of photographs, paintings and national flags that weave together the untold stories of generations of African footballers and their soccer dreams.

    This immersive collection, titled *Art and the Beautiful Game: Africa on the World Stage*, is the work of AfriKin, a foundation dedicated to amplifying African and African diaspora art. Curated by Alfonso D. Brooks, a former longtime sound engineer turned arts organizer, the exhibition opened in Miami in advance of the World Cup, drawing together works from more than 50 creators spanning 25 countries. The show traces soccer’s deep embedded role in African history, while honoring the sport’s most globally influential figures — from the late Brazilian legend Pelé to contemporary French star Kylian Mbappé.

    Every one of the 10 African nations qualifying for the World Cup is highlighted and celebrated in the exhibition, with a special tribute reserved for Cape Verde. The tiny island nation off West Africa pulled off one of the tournament’s most surprising upsets in its World Cup debut, securing a historic draw against European powerhouse Spain. AfriKin is scheduled to host an official honorary ceremony for Cape Verde on Saturday evening, ahead of the team’s group stage match against Uruguay.

    As the World Cup draws tens of thousands of global football fans to Miami, Brooks and participating artists set out to create a welcoming communal space where the African diaspora can gather, connect and celebrate its distinct cultural legacy throughout the tournament. “Miami is a huge melting pot,” explained Durrett, a 31-year-old Orlando-based artist and licensed architect. “We have Latin residents, Haitian communities, Caribbean communities, so many different cultural influences. Now that we have this platform and this voice, why not lift that story up?”

    Brooks, who was born in the Dutch Caribbean territory of St. Maarten and relocated to Miami in 2008, developed his love for soccer from its humble grassroots origins across the African continent. He recalls growing up watching young children kick makeshift soccer balls — or any round object they could find — down school hallways, in living rooms, across uneven concrete streets. “This is where you get the term ‘the beautiful game,’” he said. “Because it required nothing but a beautiful spirit.”

    That joyful simplicity runs through the entire exhibition, which offers intimate glimpses into neighborhood pick-up pitches while also highlighting the sport’s unique global power to unite people across differing backgrounds, races and languages.

    Columbus-based artist Bamazi Talle, a native of the West African nation of Togo, explores this unifying theme through paintings of the calabash — a large, woody gourd that holds deep cultural meaning across many African communities. Beyond its practical uses, from serving meals to being hardened into water-carrying vessels, the calabash stands as a cultural symbol of community connection and hospitality. Talle paints the gourds floating against the backdrop of flags of all competing World Cup nations, drawing a parallel between the fruit’s cross-cultural history and the unifying spirit of the global tournament. “Calabash became one thing that united all of us,” Talle said. “And this cup, this World Cup is, I think, this celebration of all of us coming together.”

    Durrett, whose acrylic work greets visitors at the entrance, uses her art to lift up the underrepresented stories of Black women in soccer. She first took up drawing as a therapeutic practice years ago, and has centered her work on highlighting marginalized communities, often creating full canvas pieces in a single continuous line. “I hope that visitors see the unique stories that we as artists are telling,” she said. “And I hope they see themselves reflected in these stories.”

    The exhibition also highlights what Brooks terms “Hidden Africa” — a section focused on European national teams including France, Belgium and England that field numerous players of African heritage, who were either born or developed their football skills in European countries. Through this framing, Brooks aims to highlight the far-reaching connections of the African diaspora across the entire World Cup field, while opening up conversations around identity, immigration, and the complex factors that shape a player’s choice of which nation to represent internationally.

    “I’m not just showing a football and hanging up pretty pictures or highlights of goals,” Brooks emphasized. “We want to tell a real story that people can walk into, engage with, and leave saying ‘Wow, I didn’t know that.’ People need to learn from this exhibition.”

  • Tay Keith, producer who worked with Travis Scott and Drake, found dead

    Tay Keith, producer who worked with Travis Scott and Drake, found dead

    The global hip-hop community is mourning the sudden passing of 29-year-old Grammy-nominated producer Tay Keith, whose innovative work shaped some of the biggest rap hits of the last decade. Born Brytavious Chambers in Memphis, Tennessee, Keith was found unresponsive in his Nashville residence on Wednesday after local police conducted a routine welfare check. Law enforcement officials have confirmed no foul play is suspected in his death, though a formal cause of death has not yet been released to the public. An official autopsy is currently underway to clarify the circumstances of his passing.

    Over his 10-year career, Keith built a reputation as one of the most sought-after producers in the industry, collaborating with A-list hip-hop and pop artists ranging from Drake, Travis Scott and Eminem to Beyoncé, Cardi B and Lil Nas X. He earned his first career Grammy nomination in 2019 for co-producing Travis Scott’s chart-topping hit Sicko Mode, a track that redefined modern trap production and cemented his status as a breakout talent. He picked up a second Grammy nod earlier this year in the Best Rap Song category for his work on Drake and 21 Savage’s 2023 hit Rich Flex.

    Beyond his work with established superstars, Keith was widely recognized for lifting emerging talent into the mainstream spotlight. Most notably, he produced breakout tracks for rising female rapper Sexyy Red, including her viral hit Pound Town and recent single Get It Sexyy, the latter of which was featured on the hit HBO drama Euphoria. He was also celebrated for his distinct Memphis-influenced production style, which blended heavy 808 bass lines and dynamic rhythmic patterns that became a signature of 2010s and 2020s hip-hop.

    Keith’s career path defied common industry wisdom, as he prioritized completing his college education alongside his booming music career. While studying at Middle Tennessee State University, he balanced studio sessions with coursework, eventually graduating with a degree in integrated studies and media management. In a 2020 interview with the university’s alumni magazine, he explained his commitment to finishing his degree: “There wouldn’t be any point for me to come to college if I didn’t want to finish it — I could have just focused 100% on music. By my last week of college, I had my first No. 1 single, so it didn’t make any sense to drop out.”

    In 2023, Keith’s industry impact was formally recognized when he was named to Forbes’ annual 30 Under 30 Music list, honoring the most influential young talent in the industry. Tributes have already begun pouring in from across the hip-hop community: Memphis rapper BlocBoy JB, who has been close with Keith since they were both 14 years old, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram that included a screenshot of their frequent phone conversations, writing: “We talked everyday yeen tell me you was leaving.”

    As the music community processes the news of his unexpected passing, fans and peers alike are celebrating Keith’s outsized contribution to modern hip-hop, which will leave a lasting impact on the genre for years to come.

  • Lil Nas X says he’s ‘feeling better’ after rehab and bipolar diagnosis

    Lil Nas X says he’s ‘feeling better’ after rehab and bipolar diagnosis

    Grammy-winning pop and hip-hop star Lil Nas X has broken his silence to give fans a heartfelt update on his mental health, revealing he has made major progress after months of addiction and mental health treatment following his August 2023 arrest. In a raw, vulnerable three-minute video shared to his Instagram, the 27-year-old artist, born Montero Hill, explained that he recently completed an inpatient rehab program and has returned to his hometown of Atlanta to reconnect with his family. This marks his first extensive public comment on his well-being since the 2023 incident that led to criminal charges.

    Last summer, Hill was arrested after reports of erratic public behavior, during which he was found wandering Los Angeles streets in his underwear. He was ultimately charged with assaulting responding police officers, a charge he entered a not guilty plea for. Earlier this year in April, a Los Angeles judge approved a deferred prosecution deal that allowed Hill to complete a court-supervised mental health diversion program in exchange for eventual dismissal of all charges. The agreement was granted after Hill received an official diagnosis of bipolar disorder, with the judge noting that his behavior during the arrest was completely out of character for the artist.
    Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition defined by extreme shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels, alternating between manic highs and depressive lows. In the video, Hill opened up about delaying his diagnosis for years, explaining that he avoided seeking official care out of fear of judgment from the public and reluctance to start prescription medication. In a mix of humor and sincerity, the artist joked, “I mean, I’m already black and gay, like, damn, God. Gay, bipolar, like I’m living life on extreme hard mode.”

    Setting aside the joke, Hill shared that his time in treatment has led to a dramatic improvement in his mental state. “But on a serious note, I’m doing much better, I’m feeling better, I’m creating freely, and there’s less fear in my heart. I’m just smelling the roses,” he said. Filmed outdoors against a bright, clear blue sky, the video showed Hill appearing healthy and grounded as he read from prepared notes. He admitted to feeling awkward and nervous addressing fans after stepping back from social media for months.

    Hill catapulted to global fame in 2019 with his genre-bending breakout hit *Old Town Road*, which spent a record-breaking 19 weeks atop the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned him two Grammy Awards. He solidified his stardom with subsequent chart-topping singles including *Montero (Call Me By Your Name)* and *Industry Baby*, works that cemented his status as a groundbreaking queer icon in the music industry and a pioneer at leveraging TikTok’s platform to connect with audiences. In 2023, he received a major career honor when Elton John personally selected him as the opening performer for his iconic headline set on Glastonbury Festival’s Pyramid Stage.

    Near the end of his update, Hill shared that while he is not yet ready to jump back into the full spotlight of global pop stardom, he has been hard at work on new material. “I’ve been doing music for seven years now. I wanted to let you guys know there is new music on the way,” he said. Closing out the message, he turned directly to his loyal fanbase to thank them for their patience and support. “We’ve been through so much together. Thank you guys for holding me down. I love you and all I want to do is continue to try to make you proud and make myself proud.”

    For anyone experiencing the mental health challenges discussed in this story, free and confidential support resources are available via the BBC Action Line.

  • The Ring and Lilo & Stitch actress Daveigh Chase dies aged 35

    The Ring and Lilo & Stitch actress Daveigh Chase dies aged 35

    Beloved character actress Daveigh Chase, whose decades-long career spanned iconic horror roles and beloved Disney animation, has passed away at the age of 35. Her long-time manager and close friend John Ryan Jr. confirmed to BBC News that the actress died at a Los Angeles hospital from sepsis stemming from a recent battle with meningitis. Ryan also shared that Chase had been admitted to the medical facility for treatment of malnourishment in the lead-up to her death.

    Born in Las Vegas, Chase began her entertainment career at the young age of 4, cutting her teeth in local voiceover and theater productions before moving to Hollywood to pursue full-time acting. She landed her first on-screen role at 7, a small guest spot on the hit 1990s sitcom *Sabrina the Teenage Witch* led by Melissa Joan Hart, marking the start of a decades-long career that would see her become a staple of American film and television.

    Chase earned her first major career breakthrough in 2001 with a supporting role in the cult classic psychological drama *Donnie Darko*, playing Samantha Darko, the younger sister of Jake Gyllenhaal’s troubled protagonist. She would reprise this role eight years later in the standalone follow-up *S Darko*.

    In 2002, two career-defining roles cemented Chase’s place in pop culture history. First, she took on the iconic part of Samara Morgan, the vengeful, long-haired ghost at the center of Gore Verbinski’s American remake of the Japanese horror classic *The Ring*. Her haunting portrayal of the character who crawls out of television screens to kill her victims earned her the 2003 MTV Movie Award for Best Villain, a testament to her uncanny ability to bring terrifying characters to life. Speaking to the *Los Angeles Times* shortly after the film’s release, Chase said she relished the chance to play against type. “It is not your typical character. Usually they are looking for a happy-go-lucky kid, but Samara was a pretty interesting character to play. I just kind of took my own voice and put this freaky twist on it,” she explained.

    Later that same year, Chase showcased her range by voicing the lead role of Lilo Pelekai, the adventurous, Elvis-loving young Hawaiian girl at the heart of Disney’s animated hit *Lilo & Stitch*. Her warm, heartfelt performance earned her an Annie Award for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature, and she would go on to reprise the role in multiple franchise spin-offs.

    Throughout her career, Chase amassed an extensive resume of television roles, including single-episode guest spots on hit series *Charmed*, *ER*, and *Touched by an Angel*. She also held a 32-episode recurring role on HBO’s acclaimed drama *Big Love*, playing Rhonda Volmer, a young child bride in the show’s central polygamous community.

    Ryan, who represented Chase for 15 years, remembered her as a talented performer who rejected the glitz and glamour of Hollywood fame. “She was the greatest. She loved cats. She worked with cat rescues with us. She was very to herself,” Ryan said. He added that Chase often spent years at a time retreating to her Las Vegas home and regularly turned down big-budget studio roles in favor of independent projects. “She was not very Hollywood,” he said. “She’d rather eat at Bob’s Big Boy and go home with the cats. She loved acting but wasn’t into the fame scene.” Chase maintained residences in both downtown Los Angeles and Nevada throughout her adult life.

    Chase retired from full-time acting in 2015. Later in her career, she faced well-documented personal and legal challenges, including multiple charges for drug possession and joyriding in a stolen vehicle, according to *The Hollywood Reporter*. Tributes began circulating across social media shortly after news of her passing broke, with fans and industry peers remembering her unforgettable contributions to film and animation.

  • Karst peaks, warm lakes glow under Puzhehei summer sunsets

    Karst peaks, warm lakes glow under Puzhehei summer sunsets

    As summer settles across Southwest China’s Yunnan province, one of the region’s most beloved natural destinations is drawing crowds of travelers seeking tranquility and stunning visual beauty: the Puzhehei scenic area, located in Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, is gaining acclaim for its dreamlike, golden-hued summer sunsets that transform its iconic karst landscape.

    Unlike crowded peak-season tourist hotspots that prioritize man-made attractions, Puzhehei’s main draw lies in its untouched natural charm this time of year. As the daytime heat fades and the sun begins its slow descent toward the horizon, it glides gently over the area’s signature jagged karst peaks, spilling a soft, warm amber glow across the region’s network of calm, clear lakes. Visitors often gather along the lake shores to soak in the moment, feeling the gentle summer breeze brush their skin as they watch the sky shift through a sweeping gradient of colors.

    The sky’s transformation unfolds gradually: starting as a soft pale yellow that hugs the outline of the karst formations, it deepens into vivid, striking oranges and blushing pinks that reflect off the still lake water, before fading into muted, calming shades of lavender and deep indigo as dusk approaches. The combination of distant mist-shrouded mountains, glassy nearby waters, and a sky streaked with sunset tones creates a immersive, soothing atmosphere that helps travelers shake off the stress and fatigue of daily urban life.

    For tourists looking to escape the hustle of city living and reconnect with nature, this seasonal natural spectacle has cemented Puzhehei’s status as a must-visit summer getaway, with visitors returning year after year to experience the quiet romantic allure of its sunsets.

  • British TV personality Jeremy Clarkson reveals prostate cancer in final ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ episodes

    British TV personality Jeremy Clarkson reveals prostate cancer in final ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ episodes

    LONDON — One of Britain’s most recognizable television personalities, Jeremy Clarkson, has opened up about a serious new health diagnosis in the latest installment of his hit Amazon Prime reality series *Clarkson’s Farm*, announcing he is living with early-stage aggressive prostate cancer. At 66 years old, Clarkson shared the deeply personal update with viewers in the recently released final episodes of the show’s fifth season, which documents his hands-on experiences running Diddly Squat Farm, a 1,000-acre working farm in the Oxfordshire countryside.

    Ahead of the episodes’ global release on Wednesday, Clarkson took to social media platform Instagram on Tuesday to warn fans that the content would stray from the series’ usual lighthearted tone. “Ordinarily we try to keep the show bucolic and charming, and cheerful, but two episodes which drop in the middle of the night tonight are, they’re none of those things,” he wrote in the post. “They’re a difficult watch, they’re really, really difficult.” The moment of revelation unfolds mid-episode during routine harvest planning conversations, when Clarkson pauses his discussion with farm manager Kaleb Cooper and agricultural consultant Charlie Ireland to deliver the shocking news: “I’ve got cancer.”

    This is not the first major health scare the broadcaster has faced in recent years. Two years before his cancer diagnosis, Clarkson underwent a major heart procedure, after which he told readers of his regular column in UK tabloid *The Sun* that his doctor had advised him to step back from work and prioritize leisure activities like golf.

    Beyond his television career, Clarkson has long been a polarizing public figure. In 2023, a column he wrote about Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, sparked widespread public outcry and formal sanction from UK media regulators. The piece, in which Clarkson detailed violent, misogynistic fantasies about the Duchess of Sussex, was ruled in violation of press ethics guidelines, prompting Clarkson to issue a public apology for his comments.

    In the years since he began farming in 2019, Clarkson has also emerged as a vocal advocate for UK agricultural interests. Most recently, he has been a prominent critic of the UK government’s 2024 decision to introduce inheritance tax on agricultural land, repeatedly speaking out against the policy on his platforms.

    In the closing moments of the season five finale, Clarkson addressed the camera directly from his hospital bed following surgery to remove part of his prostate, explaining that he will not receive a full prognosis on his condition until November. “If this is all successful, I’ll see you for season six, and if it isn’t, I won’t,” he told viewers. “Take care, everyone.”

  • Giant World Cup ball whips through streets in wild weather

    Giant World Cup ball whips through streets in wild weather

    Amid unruly, gusty weather that swept across El Salvador’s capital city of San Salvador, an unexpected viral moment unfolded when a massive inflatable promotional World Cup football broke free from its mooring. A quick-thinking bystander on the scene was able to capture the entire chaotic sequence on their personal device, turning a routine outdoor display mishap into a widely shared viral event across social media platforms.

    Eyewitness accounts describe sudden, intense wind gusts that overwhelmed the anchoring system holding the large promotional sphere in place. Once freed from its fixed position, the oversize ball began rolling and bouncing uncontrolled through downtown city streets, startling pedestrians and forcing motorists to swerve to avoid the unexpected obstacle. Unlike dangerous debris that can cause severe damage during severe weather events, the giant inflatable ultimately caused only minor disruptions to local traffic and no reported injuries to bystanders or motorists before it came to a rest against a roadside barrier.

    The raw footage, which spread rapidly across TikTok, Twitter/X, and other social platforms after being uploaded, has drawn thousands of comments from viewers around the world, many finding humor in the unexpected runaway sports promotion amid this year’s global World Cup excitement. Local event organizers later confirmed that the display was part of a nationwide campaign to build local fan enthusiasm for the international tournament, and they have reported no significant damage from the incident beyond the need to resecure the inflatable for future display.

  • Uffizi Gallery unveils new arrangement for Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’ and ‘Primavera’

    Uffizi Gallery unveils new arrangement for Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’ and ‘Primavera’

    FLORENCE, Italy – Two of the Italian Renaissance’s most recognizable cultural treasures, Sandro Botticelli’s *The Birth of Venus* and *Primavera*, have entered a new chapter in their centuries-long display history at Florence’s world-famous Uffizi Gallery. The repositioning, which launched to the public this Tuesday, represents the latest milestone in the museum’s ongoing transformation project, led by newly appointed director Simone Verde who stepped into the role in January 2024.

    Under the new layout, guests visiting Italy’s most visited cultural institution will first encounter *The Birth of Venus* in one dedicated gallery space. When they turn around from the painting, they will find *Primavera* installed on an opposite wall in the adjacent connecting gallery. This updated arrangement addresses longstanding viewing challenges that have plagued visitors for decades.

    In the most recent setup before this change, the two Botticelli masterpieces hung on side-by-side walls, letting guests take in both works in a single glance. Going back further in the museum’s display history, the pair were hung on opposite walls within the same single room – a configuration that created massive overcrowding, made it difficult for art lovers to move through the space, and left many guests unable to properly appreciate the details of Botticelli’s iconic work.

    Verde explained that the redesigned Botticelli galleries balance forward-thinking innovation with respect for the institution’s centuries-old legacy. The goal of the project, he noted, is to introduce guests to the Uffizi of tomorrow while remaining deeply rooted in the extraordinary history that has made the museum a global cultural landmark. The renovation project overall is designed to reshape how visitors engage with the Uffizi’s unparalleled collection of Renaissance art, making the iconic works more accessible and enjoyable for the millions of guests that travel to Florence to see them each year.

  • Monumental cave art on Paris’ oldest bridge finally opens, as the public steps and sniffs inside

    Monumental cave art on Paris’ oldest bridge finally opens, as the public steps and sniffs inside

    For weeks, an imposing black artificial mountain stood in the place of Paris’ iconic Pont Neuf, drawing curiosity from locals and tourists alike. On a Monday evening, that structure finally opened its doors to visitors, welcoming members of the public into a one-of-a-kind multisensory art experience that reimagines one of the French capital’s most historic landmarks.

    Dubbed the Pont Neuf Cavern, this large-scale installation is the work of celebrated French street artist JR, often referred to as France’s answer to Banksy. Free and open to the public 24 hours a day through June 28, the temporary work transforms the 17th-century bridge into a man-made cave that rises 59 feet above the surface of the Seine. Constructed primarily from printed fabric and inflated to hold its shape, the installation invites guests to step away from the sunlit riverbank and into a dim, atmospheric passage that reframes how visitors interact with the centuries-old crossing.

    As visitors walk along the original undulating cobblestones of the Pont Neuf, their senses are immediately engaged by the space. The walls are lined with glowing photographic prints of natural cave formations, while a low, rhythmic electronic hum hums through the structure, setting a meditative, ancient tone. The most striking element of the illusion, however, is its custom scent design, crafted to make visitors feel they have stepped into a deep, natural underground space.

    Olfactory specialist Sarah Bouasse developed two evolving scent profiles for the installation, centered on geosmin and isoborneol — the natural chemical compounds that create the signature smell of rain hitting dry earth. The aroma shifts gradually as visitors cross the bridge, starting with crisp notes of damp soil and mineral-rich stone before transitioning into warmer, smokier, faintly earthy tones that deepen the immersive illusion. For many regular visitors to the bridge, the experience is transformative. “Usually I cross here without looking up once,” shared Michel Dupré, a 67-year-old Parisian retiree, after stepping back out into daylight. “Today I felt the stones under my feet. And smelled them too. It makes you walk like a child again.” Léa Martin, a 22-year-old art student visiting from Lyon, echoed that sense of disconnection from the familiar city. “It feels like the city has disappeared,” she said. “You know the river is right outside, but for a moment you’re somewhere ancient.”

    Complementing the scent and visual design is a custom sound installation created by Thomas Bangalter, former member of legendary French electronic music duo Daft Punk. His score fills the cavern with soft rumbles, echoing vibrations and steady rhythmic pulses that amplify the feeling of being deep within a natural cave.

    Beyond its immersive design, the installation carries intentional artistic and historical context. Despite its name meaning “New Bridge”, Pont Neuf, completed in 1607, is the oldest standing bridge in Paris, with a history stretching back decades before the French Revolution. JR’s work also pays homage to the iconic late artist duo Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who wrapped the entire bridge in shimmering pale golden fabric for a landmark 1985 installation that drew an estimated 3 million visitors. Where Christo and Jeanne-Claude bathed the bridge in light, JR has chosen to envelop it in darkness, leaning into the metaphor of the cave. The artist draws direct links between his work and Plato’s famous Allegory of the Cave, in which trapped prisoners mistake shadows cast on a cave wall for real reality. JR argues that in the modern era, the “cave walls” that shape our perception are the digital screens and algorithmic feeds that frame most people’s daily experiences.

    For visitors who want a digital layer to their experience, JR has partnered with tech company Snap to add an optional augmented reality component: guests can activate the feature with their smartphones to see digital light-trailing bats, ghostly afterimages of passing visitors and a materializing digital dancer within the cave space. Even without the AR add-on, however, visitors say the installation has a powerful effect. Nadia Benali, a 34-year-old visitor, noted that Paris is often defined by its constant rush, making the installation a much-needed pause. “It’s completely strange,” she said, smiling beside the artificial cliff walls. “Paris needs things that make people stop.”

    When the installation closes on June 28, all of its fabric components will be reused or recycled, aligning with sustainable temporary art practices. The artificial mountain will be disassembled, regular traffic will return to the bridge, and the centuries-old Pont Neuf will once again stand fully exposed to the Paris light — leaving behind a new shared memory of a familiar landmark seen through entirely new senses.