French street artist JR wraps the Po in monumental intervention

French street artist JR is executing a monumental intervention on the Po River from 6 to 28 June, with Taschen publishing a project book charting the work's development, according to The Art Newspaper. The intervention represents JR's latest large-scale work, following years of urban installations across the globe. Taschen is also releasing a comprehensive volume examining all of JR's major works through behind-the-scenes photography and extended essays, positioning the Po project within the artist's broader practice.

JR has become one of the world's most recognisable street artists, known for wheat-pasted photographic installations that transform urban and natural landscapes. His work often engages with themes of migration, identity, and social justice, using public space as a medium for commentary and connection. The Po intervention marks a significant shift in scale and geography, bringing his practice to Italy's longest river and one of Europe's most economically and culturally significant waterways.

The timing of the project coincides with heightened international attention to Italy's cultural landscape. The Venice Biennale is in full swing, drawing global art world focus to the Veneto region. JR's Po intervention, spanning the length of the river across northern Italy, offers a counterpoint to the Biennale's institutional setting—a democratised, publicly accessible artwork that reaches beyond the gallery and museum world. The project's documentation through Taschen's publication will ensure its reach extends to readers and collectors worldwide.