Daphna Markman Zinemanas

Why portraying the other and documenting his/her life story has the potential of enhancing change? It is probably based on the developmental need to be seen as was described by philosophers like Merleau-Ponty and analysts like Winnicott. Winnicott wrote about the “mirror-role” of the mother. He claimed that the baby sees himself in his mother’s eyes (Winnicott, 1971).

The mirror neurons discovery explains the importance of being seen from a neurological point of view.

The models were painted in their chosen location and pose, and their life stories were documented.

It was a unique opportunity to be heard, seen and be present through the process and at the final exhibitions.

Friends and relatives learnt new information. Various populations were involved in these projects:
• The elderly.
• A person who is touched by cancer: the “inspiration”. The inspiration can be a sick person, a cancer survivor, a caretaker or someone who lost a loved one by cancer (“Twist out cancer” organization).
• Talpiot market merchants in my hometown.
• Afula’s project which deals with immigration. Every model was painted based on a photo from his/her country of origin and nowadays portrait.

Various examples of these processes will be demonstrated and analyzed from different points of view.