[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLIJuQSOJis] Motoi Yamamoto is a Japanese artist who's media of choice is salt.
I find his creations incredibly beautiful when they are done, but wathicng him work is truly inspirationall.
Similar to the Tibetan Sand Mandalas, in the end the salt is gathered by the visitors to be returned to the sea. Watch and listen to his reasons for working this way.
Currently his installations can be seen in Saint Petersburg, Russia, at the Hermitage Museum, until February 8th, and in Tel Aviv, Israel, at the Inga Gallery, until January 4th.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayz3WVG3ZPQ]
"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance."
Aristotle