For the third time since 2007, the French Minister of Culture and Communication has invited “a leading international contemporary artist” to use the 145,500 square-feet of the main hall of the Grand Palace, Paris’s major exhibition hall, as his own private gallery for a one-man show.

Under the heading MONUMENTA, the space was given over to Anslem Kiefer in 2007 and Richard Serra in 2008. This winter the honor goes to French artist Christian Boltansky, whose installation “Personnes” opens to the public today and will be shown until Feb. 21, 2010.

Open daily except Tuesday. Admission 4 euros. Click here for further information.

Promenades 1. Parc Montsouris

On the occasion of this event, Va-nu-pieds, the Barefoot Photographer, offers us this photo.

Captivating as the image is with the runner’s movement contrasted with the stillness of the bench, the two brought together by the watchful foot/eye of the photographer, there’s a murmur that completes the picture and that relates this image to the Boltansky show at the Grand Palais.

Here’s Va-nu-pieds’ explanation:

Do you see the discreet device underneath the bench? When it detects a presence the device emits the murmurs of lovers in an exotic language. We’re right near Cité Universitaire Internationale in the 14th arrondissement. The artist Christian Boltansky created this work called “Murmurs” beneath a dozen benches, through which messages of love brush against joggers and strollers.

Vous apercevez le discret dispositif sous le banc ?  Lorsqu’il détecte une présence, ce dispositif diffuse des murmures amoureux dans une langue exotique. Nous sommes tout proches de la Cité Universitaire Internationale dans le 14ème arrondissement. L’artiste Christian Boltansky a crée cette œuvre « Murmures », sous une dizaine de bancs, et des messages d’amour effleurent joggers et promeneurs.