Mappa 1983

Here's a textile work by Alighiero Boetti showing a world map filled in with national flags. Imagine sitting with him, the two of you surrounded by piles of coloured fabric. I wonder, did he sit on the floor to make this? Did he cut out each flag and carefully piece them together, like a massive jigsaw puzzle? I get the sense that this mapmaking was a labour of love, a meditation on global politics, or maybe it was just a way for Boetti to explore the beauty and variety of national symbols. You know, as a painter, I'm fascinated by the texture in this piece—the way the fabric bunches and folds, creating a sense of depth and movement. Boetti's world map is so visually striking, it invites us to contemplate the relationships between nations, and the ways in which we define ourselves in relation to others. I like to think that Boetti's piece speaks to other artists, it’s an invitation to engage with the world in a playful, critical, and imaginative way.