Tapetelegrafi

Tapetelegrafi is a fictional form of communication described in the short story "Tapetelegrafi" by Italian writer Italo Calvino. The story, published in 1965, presents a world where messages are conveyed through the manipulation of woven tapestries. These tapestries are not merely decorative but serve as a complex medium for transmitting information. The act of "tapetelegraphy" involves artisans meticulously altering the patterns and threads of existing tapestries or creating new ones specifically to encode messages.

The method of decoding these messages is also intricate, requiring a deep understanding of the symbolic language embedded within the weave. The story suggests that tapetelegrafi is a slow and labor-intensive process, contrasting with more modern forms of rapid communication. It highlights the visual and tactile nature of information exchange, where the texture, color, and design of the fabric all play a crucial role in conveying meaning. The concept explores themes of art, communication, and the potential for ancient or forgotten methods to hold sophisticated knowledge. Tapetelegrafi in Calvino's work is a metaphorical representation of how meaning can be embedded in physical objects and how different cultures might develop unique systems of communication based on their available resources and artistic traditions.