La mappa dei graffiti a Messina disegnata da Gino Coppedè. Restauri e de-restauri nel rispetto di una cifra peculiare dell'architetto.

The authenticity of the attribution to Gino Coppedè of several buildings, erected in Messina from 1910 to the first post-war period, has always fascinated who has dealt with some projects which do not always bear his signature or even contain another one but show in surface the distinctive features of the “Coppedè Style”. In order to confirm or deny the attributions veracity, two parallel researches were undertaken: one for chasing and processing the documentary traces, the other identifying and proving the common and peculiar characteristics of his repertoire. This last investigation has brought out a widespread and recurrent use of graffiti for the superficial treatment of the façade second register where mythological or fabulous, terrestrial or marine stories are illustrated. Hence, a study was performed on the chosen issues and on the techniques of the original drawings, through archival documents and on-site surveys, to understand their derivation referring to sure paternity works and the custom of use in Messina. The proposed graffiti map will be accompanied by explanatory sheets critically drafted to analyse the evolution and the conservation degree of what, for the placement in the wall stratification and the exposure to external agents, is defined as "sacrifice's surface" and was the object of interest of the Gino Coppedè's epidermis architecture in many Italian cities including Messina. A double channel, therefore, to verify the authenticity of the message and preserve its memory.