An exhibit honoring fallen first responders’ families is opening at the New York City Fire Museum in Lower Manhattan in time for the 21st anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
The exhibit, named “One Day in September,” is renowned Australian photographer Richard Wiesel’s first solo project in New York.
The moving black and white photographs feature portraits of first responders’ family members with short corresponding interviews.
“I photographed it in a very simple way — no distractions — so when you’re watching or looking at the image you’re just seeing that person and able to understand or share their experience so they can be a comfort to you if you’re going through your own stuff,” Wiesel said.
The families also provided Wiesel with artifacts to photograph, including a jacket worn by a firefighter as he ran into the World Trade Center Sept. 11, 2001 and a tattered probationary firefighter patch.
“It’s telling people’s stories, and at the same time it’s sharing people’s experiences with strangers they haven’t met before,” Wiesel said. “I really wanted to honor these people. I hope in a small little way that’s what we’ve done, that’s what we’re doing.”
Throughout 2019 and 2020, Wiesel interviewed first responders’ family members and photographed them. “What amazed me was the strength of these people,” Wiesel said.
Andrea Garbarini, who lost her FDNY lieutenant husband in the attacks, posed in a photo holding his fire helmet.
“That day and the many proceeding days were a tragedy for this world,” said Garbarini. “I always say it was like a scar on the face of humanity.”
Lt. Charles Garbarini was one of 15 firefighters from Midtown’s Engine 54, Ladder 4 and Battalion 9 killed on Sept. 11.
The night shift at the firehouse headed downtown to the burning towers. No one returned. It was the firehouse with the highest death toll in the city.
“She says we need to learn from these tragedies and be open to the stories and we must do better,” Wiesel said of Andrea Garbarani.
Wiesel, who has photographed artifacts found at Holocaust concentration camps, said he and his crew often found themselves absorbed in the families’ accounts of the most devastating terrorist strike in American history.
“We got lost in these stories,” Wiesel said. “I found a lot of new-found humility. I always knew when I would speak to them it would be a very powerful moment.”
Wiesel hopes the exhibit can travel across the country, as 9/11 was a “catalyst” and “part of history we should never forget.”
He remembers how he felt that day. “I remember watching it on TV and saying, ‘Oh my God.’ I woke up my wife and said, ‘The world has changed.'”
“It changed our lives, all our lives — the way we travel, the way we live, what we do. It’s such an important part of America’s history and the world’s history. These things need to be respected and honored and paid tribute to.”
The exhibit will be on display through Oct. 2 at the museum at 278 Spring St. in Hudson Square in the Financial District.
