Rotting Apple

A Chain of Image Files

v2.0

Progress art since 1991

This project creates a logical linkage between files to make digital images immutable. By doing so, it establishes "originals" that, by their nature, do not typically exist in the digital world. This is achieved by embedding the checksum of one file into the metadata of the subsequent file. Metadata, such as information about an image's creation, typically includes details like the time and location of capture, aperture, shutter speed, copyright, etc. These metadata fields are extended with custom data, including the checksum of the previous image. This creates an unalterable chain of files—changing an image would alter its checksum, breaking the chain.
Additionally, each image generates a unique key pair: a public key and a private key. The public key, along with the image's serial number, is embedded into the metadata, ensuring the image can have a verifiable owner. The owner can authenticate their ownership using the private key.
This project addresses fundamental themes: time, space, and information. It explores processes, generative art, the concept of originality, and duplication in the digital age. The reality of IT systems negatively impacts our daily lives—everything becomes a copy, stripped of individuality or distinction. We are also facing an impending information crisis, where the individual becomes a mere pawn in a system that predicts and dictates behavior. The collective intellect of society diminishes as we increasingly rely on algorithms to navigate our world.

The apple is an original apple from an object from 1991. It is now back in front of a camera - the picture is every 10 minutes digitally signed - all written in metadata - and ready for download.

Art and digital technologies: Faced with the feeling of futility, many artists are tempted to press the ‘delete everything’ button. Especially when it comes to the subject of the original and the copy. However, deleting everything is not a solution - we live in the information system we have created. This digital world is our own invention, and the challenge is to find a coexistence with new forms of information. Together, we must imagine a future that reconciles people and technology and promotes harmony rather than division.

Overview

The "Rotting Apple" project involves creating a secure, verifiable chain of digital image files, akin to a blockchain but tailored specifically for images. This chain ensures the integrity and ownership of digital images through a combination of cryptographic hashes and public/private key encryption. Here's a detailed breakdown of how the project works and its relation to a Merkle tree structure.

How the Project Works

1. A Hash Chain off Unique Files:

   • Each image file in the project has a unique identifier, which is a cryptographic hash value derived from its digital content.
   • This hash is stored in the metadata of the next image file in the sequence, effectively linking them in a chain. This means the integrity of any image can be verified by checking the hash stored in the subsequent image against the hash calculated from the image itself.
   • If any image is altered, its hash will change, and this change will invalidate the chain, as the altered hash will not match the hash stored in the next image’s metadata.

2. Merkle Tree Concept:

   • The project borrows from the Merkle tree concept where every leaf node is a hash of transactional data, and every non-leaf node is a hash of its previous nodes. In the Rotting Apple project, although not forming a traditional tree structure, the sequential linking of image hashes resembles the chaining in a Merkle tree, providing a similar benefit of verifiable data integrity through cryptographic means.
   • This method allows for efficient and secure verification of any modifications to the image data.

3. Public/Private Keys:

   • Each image file is associated with a pair of cryptographic keys: a public key and a private key.
   • The public key and the signature key is stored openly in the metadata of the image file and can be used by anyone to verify the signature to ensure the image’s integrity and authenticity.
   • The private key is kept secret by the image owner and is used to encrypt the hash or to sign data, ensuring that the linked hash values and metadata modifications are legitimately performed by the owner.
   • Ownership verification is achieved by decrypting the encrypted hash or verifying the signature in the metadata using the corresponding public key.

Benefits of the Project

• Integrity and Non-Repudiation: Since each image’s hash affects the next, unauthorized changes to any image are easily detectable, protecting the integrity of the entire chain.
• Ownership and Authenticity: The use of public/private keys ensures that the owner of the image can securely assert their ownership and control over their digital assets. Others can verify this ownership using the public key.

Technical and Logical Coherence

• The project logically implements a linear, chain-linked structure of hashes akin to a simplified Merkle tree, ensuring data integrity across a series of image files.
• The use of cryptographic hashing and key pairs (public/private) provides a robust framework for securing digital images against tampering and unauthorized use, while also allowing for the easy verification of authenticity and ownership.

This project represents a unique application of blockchain-like technology and cryptographic principles to the realm of digital media, demonstrating how traditional data security concepts can be innovatively applied to new fields.