“Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength,” the current Dalai Lama has said. “ By examining tragedy, as painful as it is, we hope to make sense of it. A new exhibit by Coral Springs photojournalist Ian Witlen opening at the Coral Springs Museum of Art on Sept. 14 and running through Nov. 9, titled, “Anguish in the Aftermath: Examining a Mass Shooting,” proposes to do just that.
On Feb. 14, 2018, Witlen, received the assignment from the Miami New Times to cover the shootings and its aftermath at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 students and teachers were shot and killed. Witlen rushed to the scene and was on-site snapping photos and documenting the tragedy as it unfolded of this now scarred-in-our-memory event. As it happens, Witlen, now 36, graduated from MSD, so the events had a special resonance for him. “After the shooting I was at the school every day.” says Witlen. “I had many students and teachers coming asking me how can we get our stories told?”
A world traveler and internationally published photojournalist, Witlen’s work has appeared in Time, der Spiegel, CNN and Vanity Fair, among others. A self-described apolitical person, Witlen was in shock and unnerved by what he saw and driven to express all the emotions and tumult he was witnessing the best way he knew how – through photography.
Over the past 12 months, in his spare time and during nights and weekends, Witlen interviewed more than 75 students and teachers who were in the freshman building at MSD on that fateful day. To remain neutral in his role as a photojournalist, Witlen asked the participants only two questions: What was your experience that day? And what would you like to see come of it? Out of that project emerged the exhibit, a collection of black-and-white portraits and audio recordings from each of the participants.
Museum-goers can listen to the audio of the responses and hear what the students are saying at that exact moment Witlen captured them on film. Julie Andrews, executive director of the Coral Springs Museum of Art was introduced to Witlen through former Coral Springs City Commissioner Lou Cimaglia. “When I saw Ian’s masterful photography and heartfelt stories I knew I had to find resources to help him continue his work,” says Andrews. “His photographs are the perfect intersection between art and the humanities,” she says.
Artist Nicoelle Danielle Cohen, 41, understood Witlen’s motivation. She created the Healing Hearts Project, and works with Parkland survivors to heal and honor the victims. “I think what Ian is doing is incredible,” says Cohen, who spent part of her summer working with the Shine MSD Camp to provide healing through the arts. While Witlen says his message is a humanitarian one, not a political one, Cohen is open about expressing her views.
“As an MSD alum and mother of a 7-yr. old, I want to use my art to raise awareness, create healing and to continue the conversation about common sense gun laws,” she says. “I look forward to seeing Ian’s show,” says Cohen. “He’s working hard and I know the emotional toll it takes.” “My dream is that we are all inspired to use whatever talents we have to help make changes in the laws,” Cohen says. “We owe it to our children.”
The Coral Springs Museum of Art offered Witlen an artist-in-residence opportunity and hope to have the exhibit to travel to other museums and educational institutions across the country. For Witlen, too, his life was changed forever on that fateful February day. Witnessing all the horror and speaking to so many people directly affected by the tragedy, Witlen says he experienced vicarious trauma along with much heartbreak.
The project helped him get through those dark days. “This was a cathartic and therapeutic experience for myself and many of the students,” says Witlen. He was surprised that many of the students and teachers voiced a sense of relief. “They expressed a desire to help others, and I was moved to tears knowing I had a positive effect and helped someone in their time of need,” he said.
Witlen hopes the community will feel the same way. “It’s an opportunity for these students, teachers and families to unburden themselves, give them a voice and help them heal in some small way,” he says. “These kids want to make a better world where others are treated with kindness. Despite the hardship, these students and families have kept on. They are an inspiration to me,” he says. “The least I can do is to do my part.”
For more information about this exhibit, contact the Coral Springs Museum of Art at (954) 340-5000 or museuminfo@coralsprings.com and online at coralspringsmuseum.org. Meet the artist at a complimentary meet and greet reception on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at 6 pm.