The short video A Studio Visit with Yair Meyuhas is available to watch at the top of the page.
In the face of the COVID-19 crisis, photographer and artist Yair Meyuhas found a captivating way to capture the feelings of isolation and loneliness felt by the Israeli public. His photo series, A Nuclear Capsule, brings together nine diverse families from different communities in Jerusalem and showcases their unique experiences during the lockdowns.
Through his lens, Meyuhas tells the stories of families from various backgrounds, such as ultra-orthodox, Palestinian, secular, LGBTI, and orthodox, as they navigate life during the pandemic. Despite facing the same restrictions and regulations, the portraits show how each family coped differently with the challenges.
The families were invited to a photoshoot in the studio in-between the lockdowns, where Meyuhas photographed their family portraits while they were confined inside a metal frame. This visual representation conveyed the different experiences of the lockdowns among the families in their homes. The domestic space became a true reflection of reality, where the same regulations applied equally to all, yet coping mechanisms varied greatly.
The reality of the closures served to magnify the differences and divides between homes and families from different communities in Israel, intensifying prejudices and suspicion towards “the other.” But through his portraits, Meyuhas provides a compassionate view of their struggles and difficulties, inviting viewers to reflect on the complexities of life during the crisis and see the humanity behind the headlines.
The portraits were exhibited in light boxes at the “Black Box” gallery on Jaffa Street in Jerusalem. In a video interview, Yair Meyuhas emphasized the importance of presenting an empathetic view of the difficulties faced by families during the closures and hopes his work will inspire others to see the world through a more compassionate lens and understand the profound impact of the pandemic on our communities.
