Costas Spathis’ Window to History (2023, Photography) is a striking aerial composition that fuses geometry, history, and abstraction into a single frame. From above, the dense sprawl of terracotta rooftops unfolds like an intricate tapestry of urban life—angular streets, layered textures, and rhythmic repetitions of architectural forms converging into a vibrant patchwork.

At the very center of the image lies a stark interruption: a perfect rectangular void, dark and flat, resembling a modern glass surface or an opening into another dimension. This central “window” contrasts sharply with the organic irregularity of the surrounding cityscape, drawing the eye immediately and anchoring the work’s title.

The interplay between the lived-in chaos of the historical city and the pristine geometry of the central void suggests a meditation on time, memory, and the tension between past and present. The rooftops, with their earthy hues and centuries of accumulated history, act as a frame for the minimalist intrusion—transforming the composition into both a literal and metaphorical window.

In Window to History, Spathis once again reimagines the aerial view not as simple documentation but as a canvas for exploring perspective and meaning. The work emphasizes the dialogue between collective heritage and the abstractions of modern vision, where history itself becomes something to be both observed and reinterpreted.