“Myanmar, The Path of the Soul: Capturing Humanity”
- Caroline Haïat
- 7 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A new photography exhibition by Eran Mangel opens on May 6 at Bifnocho space in Tel Aviv, offering a sensitive and deeply human perspective on daylife in Myanmar.
Titled “Myanmar – The Path of the Soul,” the exhibition presents a series of photographs taken by Mangel during his journey to Myanmar. Through his lens, he invites viewers into a complex reality shaped by poverty and military rule, yet illuminated by striking human warmth.
A physiotherapist by profession, Eran Mangel describes a journey that began with simple curiosity about a distant country and evolved into a profoundly transformative experience. On site, he encountered a society living under curfew and difficult conditions, where the kindness, smiles, and openness of the people challenged his perceptions.
From the moment he arrived, Mangel recalls an unexpected sense of familiarity. Rather than remaining a distant observer, he became quietly immersed in local life. His photographic approach is based on minimal intervention: his images are neither staged nor intrusive, but instead capture authentic moments, creating a silent dialogue between photographer and subject.
Among the works on display, several series stand out. “Gazes” explores the lives of children in Buddhist monasteries, revealing a balance between discipline, serenity, and protection. “Market” portrays the vibrant heart of community life, where colors, scents, and movement blend into an organic harmony. “The Dance” captures the grace of traditional fishermen at work, transforming a daily gesture into something almost choreographic.
More than a visual testimony, the exhibition is an invitation to reflect.
“This journey changed the way I see the world,” Mangel explains. “I met people living in difficult conditions who radiate a sense of completeness, warmth, and openness I had never encountered before. Photography allowed me to connect without words — a glance, a smile, a shared moment.”
Founder of the Medix sports medicine network and an Ironman athlete, Mangel has practiced physiotherapy for nearly forty years. His professional approach, grounded in listening and understanding others, is now reflected in his photographic work. In recent years, after training with photographer Yigal Slavin, photography has become for him a space of ongoing human exploration.
The exhibition will run from May 6 to May 18, with an opening event scheduled for the evening of May 6.
Caroline Haïat