“I thought I knew how I would feel going to this exhibit and seeing the images. I was wrong. It was immediately overwhelming. It was also a powerful, emotional, and beautiful experience... For me it was a perfect place for this occasion, because it felt so spiritually similar to how I felt those first few days when I visited the sacred places that were once my neighbors’ homes.
There was again tonight, such a sense of reverence and honor to bear witness to what so many endured on that fateful day. The difference tonight from those first days was that the shock that protected me then, has since been shed and forgotten, so I was a little more raw and open to absorb what I was seeing. And it hurt my heart.
But in another way, tonight was different because it was the coming together of the community in love and support of each other, amidst and in spite of the pain represented in those portraits. So much time has passed, and for those friends and neighbors the struggles of this past year can only truly be shared by the others who have experienced that same something unimaginable.
It was so humbling to attend and “see them” tonight. To acknowledge that the Woolsey fire happened to all of us, but it is still happening to them. It was so wonderful to come together for the hugs and the tears and the memories shared, with that cushion to shock and pain that only time can bring.
And yet for me tonight, what transpired a year ago suddenly felt like a moment ago. There were many images that truly took my breath away, and yet it felt healing and cathartic at the same time. I was once again so grateful to come together with my tribe at this solemn yet hopeful gathering.”
- Kathy Scott Higgins
“A remarkable healing event … with remarkable art … last night at the Malibu Jewish Community Center and Synagogue. “Malibu After – Bearing Witness” may be an art show … but more accurately it is a community group therapy.” Photographer Eric Myer has posted 42 gigantic panoramic photos … that he shot amidst the fire wrecked houses of Malibu.
Each photo shows the residents of each house … incredible emotion on their faces … incredible destruction everywhere. Journalist Jimy Tallal interviewed the fire victims … their words are evocative …
Sound awful?? Not at all … according to the people we talked to at the art show last night.
“Photos of Malibu fire victims are moving - beyong the capacity of radio to describe”
- Hans Laetz, KBUU
“This was the most incredible heart-wrenching experience. But the most beautiful artwork that I could not possibly have imagined … that this was what I was going to see when I came here.”
- Susan Monus
“I mean looking at the pictures, seeing the pictures, the looks on their face. “They all have the same look. I remember that look. I had that look. It’s very emotional to go back in there and to see everything again. It’s a great show … powerful.” “Absolutely amazing show and so moving. Thanks for the tissue boxes too, I needed them after that! Please let us know where this powerful exhibit is headed...I heard Santa Monica, but not sure where? There are SO many people who still want to see this but missed the short window it was on display in Malibu. Thank you MJC and everyone who volunteered to make this happen. It was a "wow" and needs to be seen by a larger audience!”
- Leo La Plante
“It was kind of depressing going in there and looking at the poor people and the ruins of their homes. I mean … the degree of loss just really was kind of … was a downer. But I think the artistry of the photographer kind of lifts everything up.”
- Jim Winberg
“I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was dreading coming. I almost didn’t come … and then as soon as I came in the picture and saw the picture of Jennifer and Brian (Pietro) I almost fell apart. I walked around… I saw my neighbors up on the … their house that burned … And the most amazing thing happened is that all of a sudden it felt very healing and cathartic.
It felt good and just hugging everybody it felt very healing … it was the opposite of what I thought would happen.”
- Kim LeDoux
Amazing!!!! Such a fantastic idea to use his talent to memorialize that tragic event. Im sure it was healing for those to see the immense devastation through a different perspective, and feel validation ❤️❤️ So cool.
- Heather Burden
A mix of grief, artistry and community....it is the latter that is the antidote (in time) to the grief and loss.
- Alon Klamkin
“Out of the depths of despair rise unbelievable solutions.”
-Rob Gage
