Mappa 1978

Here we see Alighiero Boetti’s “Mappa,” a woven tapestry dominated by a world map filled with national flags. The map’s structure presents each country as a distinct, self-contained entity against a blue oceanic backdrop. Boetti complicates traditional notions of sovereignty and cultural identity. Flags, as signifiers of national identity, are used to delineate geographical boundaries, yet the hand-woven nature of the tapestry introduces an element of human imperfection and collaboration. This piece was made by Afghan artisans, thus blurring the lines between artistic creation and cultural exchange. The visual impact is striking: a global panorama composed of fragmented, colorful identities. The tapestry's texture and material further disrupt any sense of a unified, seamless world order, highlighting the complexities and contradictions inherent in our globalized society. The piece invites us to reflect on how maps, flags, and borders both define and divide us.