Beijing artist Liang Kegang poses with the jar of fresh air collected in Provence (Picture: AP Photo/Didi Tang)

After a business trip to the south of France, a Chinese artist captured a jar of ‘clean, Provence air’ and sold it at auction for a whopping ¥5,250 (£500) in Beijing.

Liang Kegang was so fed up with his city’s poor air quality that he decided to sell the bottled atmosphere as an act of protest.

He put the jar up for auction before a group of about 100 Chinese artists and collectors last month where it sold successfully.

‘Air should be the most valueless commodity, free to breathe for any vagrant or beggar,’ Liang said in an interview.


‘This is my way to question China’s foul air and express my dissatisfaction.’



His stunt was part of a wider protest reflecting dissatisfaction over air quality in China where pollutant levels in many cities are far higher than those recommended by the World Health Organisation.

Liang’s contribution is a short, ordinary glass preserves jar with a rubber seal and a flip-top.

It has three small, handwritten paper labels – one with the name and coordinates of the French village, Forcalquier, where he closed the jar.