Walls with Paint: Back to my Roots

In 'Walls with Paint', Eindhoven local, photographer, and art fan Lukedaduke shares the story behind a special street art project in Eindhoven. This month: an ode to 70 years of national television and Philips test cards.

In October 2021, we will celebrate 70 years of nationwide television broadcasting in the Netherlands. A large part of the Netherlands does not know that, before that time, television was already broadcasted three times a week in Eindhoven by Philips.

The latter were experimental broadcasts, which broadcasted from the Veemgebouw. Like the broadcast in 1950, a live report of PSV-EVV: the first live report of a sports match in the Netherlands. Only people in and around Eindhoven with a Philips TV could receive the broadcasting. 

Fifteen minutes before and after the broadcast, there was a picture on television, kind of as an announcement. At that time, it was in black and white, but later on in color. 

These so-called test cards were for mechanics and antenna installers, so they could set, adjust, and check television receivers. The national test cards were also designed by Philips and served as inspiration for test cards in many other countries.

Another person inspired by the test cards is Markus Genesius, a graffiti artist from Bremen, Germany. Markus started doing graffiti 30 years ago. Over the years, his work became more and more abstract. The colors and shapes of the television test screen were a significant influence on his work. 

Just around the corner from het Veem, where the first national TV broadcast aired, you will find Videolab. Here, Markus painted the artwork 'Back to my roots,' referencing the test card and its origin.