Lumi's Inkodyes aren't a new idea, and the introduction video might be one of the most pretentious things ever, but the product looks like a lot of fun. Inkodyes are light sensitive dyes which are "developed" by the sun. Paint the dyes onto any surface (fabrics, paper, wood, whatever) and put it out in sunlight. A few minutes later, the dyes will have darkened. Partially blocking the light with a negative or a stencil will give you photos and patterns.

Once done, wash it with water to "fix" the image.

It's a lot like using a regular paint-on film emulsion like Liquid Light, only you don't need any chemicals to develop it. Inkodye comes in three mixable colors (blue, red, orange) and runs from $12 for a four-ounce bottle up to $175 for a gallon. A three-color kit costs $35.

And what's so wrong with the video, you ask? Try this for starters, regarding the tools we use to make art: "If everyone is out there, using the same tools, then how different could the work be?"

I don't know. Maybe you could ask Warhol, Goya and Picasso, whose work is practically indistinguishable thanks to the boring old paint they used. Or Burroughs, Shakespeare and Borges, who had to make do with the same 26 letters to make all of their art (well, 29 in the case of Borges).

Take a look:

The Inkodyes are available now.

Lumi product page [Lumi]