This amazing tech may be the future of art (pictures)

Videophiles are elated over the possibilities for organic light-emitting diode technology, or OLED. And they have good reason: OLED produces velvety blacks and gorgeous color saturation via a lightweight, paper-thin, bendable medium.

But those same properties are inspiring another group, too: artists. And the things they're doing with OLED are extraordinary.

For example: As part of an initiative called The Art of the Pixel, LG invited students from top art schools to create pieces meant to be displayed on OLED. This creation, called "110 Fathoms," was submitted by the Pratt Institute's Joseph Bui.

For a performance by the Black Eyed Peas in France, singer Fergie wore a leather catsuit integrated with 75 Philips OLED panels, which sparkled like mirrored glass when turned off.

When lit, the panels were controlled remotely via a software program, creating patterns and lighting sequences that were complementary to the set list.

Philips Lumiblade used this moving sculpture to showcase its modular system of OLED panels, created by design firm WhiteVoid.

As seen here, the system also has an iPad-controlled light animation application.

French paper artist Marianne Guély created this dress for the "Shiseido the Ginza" exhibit in Japan.

The work was meant to evoke "the spirit of the cherry blossoms."

Because OLED panels can be as thin as paper, Guély essentially used them as such, creating a fan that glowed.

British designer Jason Bruges created this stunning OLED light installation with roughly 450 square Philips Lumiblade OLEDs.

Called "Mimosa," the work reacts to human movement.

Japanese cinematographer Takao Inoue has created a lamp combining nature and technology. A miniature OLED light is embedded in the stem of a dandelion sealed in a clear acrylic block.

Bo Yoon (Christina) Chang of the Rhode Island School of Design created this OLED-minded piece, "Link House," as part of LG's Art of the Pixel event.

LG donated TVs to each of the nine art schools it worked with and provided $100,000 worth of grants to some of the participating institutions.

Matsuo Takahiro created this Roy G. Biv chair using OLED lights. The Verbatim Velve panels emit no heat, making the chair as practical as it is pretty.

This ethereal OLED installation was created by designer Chikara Ohno of Japanese architectural firm Sinato.

Kaneka Corp., which commissioned the work, said in a statement that its goal was "not to illuminate an object or display a source of light, but to create an environment defined by an intermediate condition of light."

Parsons student An Li's submission for LG's Art of the Pixel event is a vivid piece of photography engineered for OLED display.

In Germany, Hamburg's Theater an der Elbe has an entire central wall illuminated with an OLED art installation.

Dutch artist and designer Hugo Timmermanns used 500 OLED panels to create the look.

Sara Hill of the Maryland Institute's College of Art showcased rich colors in this OLED-minded piece, titled "Separation," her entry in LG's Art of the Pixel event.

Design firm WhiteVoid used OLED panels about .07 inch thick to create this moving art installation for Philips. The installation uses 36 OLEDs on each of 24 triangular bases.