Zicht op de trappen van het Romeinse Theater van Catania 1862 - 1876

Jean Andrieu’s stereo photograph captures the ancient Roman theater of Catania, with its worn stone steps leading to arched entryways. These stairs, a dominant motif, evoke the ascent and descent inherent in human drama and ritual. The steps remind us of the monumental stairways of ancient ziggurats, where priests climbed to commune with the divine. The arches above echo those found in triumphal arches, gateways to power and conquest. This architecture is not just stone; it is the material embodiment of human striving, a stage upon which life's dramas unfold. Even in decay, these forms retain their power, triggering a subconscious recognition of the grandeur and transience of human endeavor. The emotional weight of history embedded within the theater creates a powerful force, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. These motifs—steps, arches—reappear throughout history, continually reshaped, yet eternally linked to our collective memory.