In Beijing, a city which is notorious for overwhelming pollution, clean air can seem like a valuable commodity. 

Liang Kegang - an artist based in Beijing - tapped into this concept when he returned from southern France with a small jar of air, which he successfully auctioned off for US $860.

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The sale is considered to be a form of artistic protest over air quality in Beijing where pollution stages can at times reach toxic levels. 

In an interview, Liang said it was his way of questioning China's foul air and served as an expression of dissatisfaction.

Liang's art piece is just an ordinary glass with a flip-top and a rubber seal, just like a preserve jar. Inside were three small labels where the name and coordinates of the French town Forcalquier were written. It was in the town where he closed the jar.

Chinese officials have, in the past, made promises to clean up air pollution, and have started promoting policies which are intended to help do just that. 

However, with pollution running rampant and unchecked for the last 30 years, many citizens are left questioning whether or not China's government actually has the ability and resources to clean up the country. 

Protests of the likes of Liang Kegang's work of art come as a breath of fresh air in a country facing the monumental task of providing its citizens with a pollution-free way of life.