TVBoy mural of Carola Rackete vandalized in Taormina by Lega lawyer Giuseppe Perdichizzi
A mural in Taormina created by renowned street artist TVBoy, which features activist Carola Rackete as 'Santa Carola, protector of refugees,' has been vandalized. Giuseppe Perdichizzi, a lawyer associated with the Lega party, admitted to defacing the artwork, leaving a message expressing support for Italy's financial police and criticising those who aid refugees. This act of vandalism follows similar incidents in other Italian locations, including Ostia and Baronissi, amidst a vibrant summer for street art. Giovanni Maria Riccio, a legal expert from the University of Salerno, remarked on the complicated questions regarding the ownership of street art.
Key facts
- TVBoy is a Palermo-born street artist with international recognition.
- The mural depicted Carola Rackete as 'Santa Carola protettrice dei rifugiati'.
- Giuseppe Perdichizzi, a Lega member and lawyer, claimed responsibility for defacing the mural.
- The defacement occurred in Taormina, Italy.
- A note left by Perdichizzi read: 'Noi stiamo col lo Stato italiano e la guardia di finanza, gli assassini in galera. Prima gli italiani e chi li difende. Grazie Matteo.'
- The incident follows similar street art vandalism cases in Ostia and Baronissi.
- Legal analysis by Giovanni Maria Riccio, professor at University of Salerno, discusses ownership and criminal liability.
- Under Italian civil code, the wall owner may own the artwork, but the artist could have donated it.
- Criminal defacement (Article 639) is a complaint-based offense; damage to national heritage (Article 733) does not apply.
- Riccio suggests property owners often benefit from street art, citing Banksy's work in Venice.
Entities
Artists
- TVBoy
- Banksy
Institutions
- Lega
- University of Salerno
- Artribune
Locations
- Taormina
- Italy
- Ostia
- Baronissi
- Venice
- Palermo