Meager beginnings

Meager beginnings

Credit: Studio Sigalit Landau

A new exhibit at the Marlborough Contemporary in London shows exactly how salty the Dead sea is. Artist Sigalit Landau submerged a traditional Hasidic dress in the Dead Sea to become the Salt Crystal Bride Gown. [Read the full story on the stunning salt dress]

Awaiting recovery

Awaiting recovery

Credit: Studio Sigalit Landau

The dress stands eerily under the surface of the Dead Sea awaiting its retrieval. The dress is a replica of one used in the 1920s production of the Hasidic Jewish play "The Dybbuk," about a woman who is possessed by her dead lover's spirit.

Crystals form

Crystals form

Credit: Studio Sigalit Landau

Over time salt crystals formed on the dress.

A long-time coming

A long-time coming

Credit: Studio Sigalit Landau

The artist responsible for the Salt Crystal Bride Gown has long experimented with salt crystallization. Landau's work also includes a salty hangman's noose, a salt-crystal encrusted island of shoes and salt crystal lamps.

Daily changes

Daily changes

Credit: Studio Sigalit Landau

Each day more crystals grew on the immersed fabric.

Deep meaning

Deep meaning

Credit: Studio Sigalit Landau

The gown represents the transformation of the lead character from the Yiddish play, "The Dybbuk".

Nature at its best

Nature at its best

Credit: Studio Sigalit Landau

The process of crystallization is "an anticipated yet uncontrolled organic process set in motion," according to the artist.

Heavy beauty

Heavy beauty

Credit: Studio Sigalit Landau

After several weeks submerged the garment is covered with many salt crystals.

Rising again

Rising again

Credit: Matanya Tausig

After two months, Studio Landau lifted 'Small Salt Bride' from the waters of the Dead Sea.

Stunning creation

Stunning creation

Credit: Matanya Tausig

Resurrected from its shallow resting place, the Crystal Bride Gown represents a sort of rebirth. The gown, which originally represented madness, is transformed into the wedding gown it was meant to be.