A project by Vincent Wittenberg and Wladimir Manshanden. The starting point for this project was a massive database of photos taken by cleaning companies hired between 2005 and 2013 by the municipality of Eindhoven, a medium sized Dutch city known for its industrial heritage and Philips factories. The cleaning companies were commissioned to remove graffiti and stickers from municipal property in the public space. As evidence for their work they took two photos at every job: one before cleaning and one after. During these eight years a staggering 50,000 images were archived.

When the authors were able to seize this bizarre archive, they quickly appreciated the historic value. The database is an inventory of both the graffiti and sticker culture in Eindhoven, as well as a municipal struggle with the ambivalent problem of vandalism versus the acceptance of subcultures. But it also shows the city as a place where a diversity of people leave their marks behind.

Where MU container at Plug-In-City, Strijp-S
When May 5th - Juyly 2nd, 2017

Special on Friday June 16, from 17:00 beer & book presentation.