This double painting (in diptych) comprises two encrypted paradoxical messages.

The message encoded on the first painting (background colored yellow or red) is:

"What is written
on the other painting
is TRUE".

The message encoded on the second painting (background white) is:

"What is written
on the other painting
is FALSE"..

If we try to rationally take into account the two "discourses" asserted on each of these two paintings, together and simultaneously, without prejudice or any particular a priori, we very quickly end up with an infinite circle of apparently logical argumentative references, but which reality lead to a discursive dead end from which we cannot get out.

Note that it's the same thing with the red diptych (same messages).

The “BACH CODE” is a graphic encryption process invented in 2018 by Swiss artist and mathematician Jean-Claude Bossel.

The “BACH CODE” is based on rigorous mathematical concepts used in the field of cryptography and security codes:

• numerical encryptions in base 2 (equivalent to the binary system used in computing),

• in base 4 (equivalent to the natural “numeric” system characteristic of the genetic code, made up of the four basic elements of DNA or RNA),

• remainder classes of the Euclidean division of integers (in modulo 32),

• original adaptation of well-known historical encryption techniques (Vigenère cipher and variants, Hill matrices and variants, etc.)

Regarding the two diptychs (red or yellow), the coding is done concretely using the “numbers” 0 and 1.

On the two pictures, the "number" 0 is visualized in the form of a small hole (or a piece of plastic tube of small diameter), while the 1 is visualized in the form of a hole of diameter more large (or a piece of plastic with a larger diameter).

If the diptych is presented upside down we obtain a second level of reading allowing the decryption of two complementary messages.

This time, the "numbers" 0 and 1 are no longer the diameters of the holes or the diameters of the small pieces of glued plastic tube, but the colors placed (discreetly) in the edges of the holes or (less discreetly) in the center of the ends of plastic.

These colors are now used as binary "digits" (0 and 1 "digits" used to encrypt a new message).

If the background of the painting is COLORED (red or yellow), the "number" 0 is in BLACK while the 1 is in WHITE. If the background is WHITE, the "number" 0 is in BLACK while the 1 is COLORED (red or yellow).

The new encrypted message in the first painting is:

"I insist and affirm
that what is written
on the other painting
is TRUE".

The new encrypted message in the second painting is:

"I insist and repeat
that what is written
on the other painting
is FALSE".

Swiss artist and mathematician Jean-Claude Bossel is the author of a series of seven mathematics books (written in French) intended for gymnasium students in French-speaking Switzerland.

His eighth work is currently in preparation and will be devoted to the different mathematical methods used to encrypt messages in his own paintings.

This work will include a theoretical part, a practical part (numerous math exercises with written solutions) and multimedia supplements, teaching videos, clips, etc.

Profits from the sale of paintings from the “FAKE NEWS” series will contribute to financing this production and publication project.

To know more about this project, click on the picture (texts in French only).

Click on the picture.