Beijing: A Beijing artist Liang Kegang here has auction off a jar of fresh air for more than 51k.
He has brought the rubber-sealed jar from southern France and auctioned it off in protest ,reflecting widespread dissatisfaction over air quality in China, where cities often are immersed days on end in harmful pollutants at levels many times what is considered safe by the World Health Organization.
He put it up for auction before a group of about 100 Chinese artists and collectors late last month, and it fetched 5,250 yuan ($860).
The jar has three small, handwritten paper labels: one with the name and coordinates of the French village, Forcalquier, where he closed the jar; one saying “Air in Provence, France” in French; and one with his signature in Chinese and the date — March 29.
“Air should be the most valueless commodity, free to breathe for any vagrant or beggar,” Liang Kegang told the AP. “This is my way to question China's foul air and express my dissatisfaction.”
