February 20, 2009
If
you have never been in a fire, it might be difficult to imagine
being surrounded by scorching flames and smoke so thick you can’t
see. If you’re a New York City firefighter, this image is a daily
reality. Time and time again, the men and women of the Fire
Department of New York City (FDNY) venture into dangerous and
sometimes deadly situations to save lives.
Photo Gallery
Now on display at the Dr. M. T. Geoffrey Yeh Art Gallery at the
Queens campus of St. John’s University, is the exhibit entitled:
Images from the FDNY Photo Unit. Retired Photo Unit Photographer
Benjamin Cotten and Professor Belenna Lauto from the Fine Arts
Department of St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences have
brought to St. John’s University the photo archives from the FDNY
Photo Unit:
“I
felt that there was a lot of history, not just FDNY history, but
New York history that has not been brought to light. That’s one of
the main reasons why I thought it was important to bring these
gripping images that document the reality of fire fighting to St.
John’s,” says Professor Lauto.
The photo exhibit, on display until March 7, presents images dating
from the late 19th century through the present including riveting
images from Ground Zero and rescue efforts during Hurricane
Katrina.
Professor Lauto sums up her vision for the exhibit, “Many of these
photos can be tragic, but inspiring at the same time. Firefighters
are such selfless individuals - they go to work each day not
knowing if they will be coming back.”