Alejandro Cartagena's Photographs Give A Glimpse Of Mexican Car Poolers (PHOTOS)

Alejandro Cartagena takes photographs in Mexican suburbs that don't shy away from confronting social and urban issues. The Sony World Photography Awards shortlist nominee's recent collection "Car Poolers" gives a bird's eye view of men stuffed in the back of pick-up trucks alongside buckets, rope, wheelbarrows, and other supplies.

Cartagena doesn't need to inject much commentary to create extremely powerful images. Something as banal as riding in a truck with your gear, when you really confront it as an image, is so dehumanizing the photos almost look staged. Cartagena succeeds in providing a glimpse of a reality we often don't see. Without specifically labeling as good or bad, just or unjust, he creates arresting images that will make you think twice before you blithely pass by a packed truck on the road. See more at Circuit Gallery.

"Untitled Car Pooler #1", Archival Inkjet Print, 40x24.7inch, 2011, Courtesy of Circuit Gallery Toronto

"Untitled Car Pooler #2", Archival Inkjet Print, 40x24.7inch, 2011, Courtesy of Circuit Gallery Toronto

"Untitled Car Pooler #3", Archival Inkjet Print, 40x24.7inch, 2011, Courtesy of Circuit Gallery Toronto

"Untitled Car Pooler #4", Archival Inkjet Print, 40x24.7inch, 2011, Courtesy of Circuit Gallery Toronto

Do Cartagena's images change the way you see laborers' commutes? Let us know below.

Comments

[mamacat]

08:00 AM on 02/19/2012

That reminds me of how much things change over time. As a kid seat belts were not yet installed at the factory, and there were no seat belt laws. Kids stood up on the seats, rode in the back of station wagons, and even in the back of pick-ups. It was just the way it was. I remember when our Dad installed seat belts in our car, only because he was concerned about our safety.

A couple of years ago we were in Hawaii, and I was surprised to see youngsters there riding in the back of pickups. Here in Cali that would not happen, any longer. I asked about it, and was told that it is still legal in Hawaii. Maybe it is not safe, but I think it would be fun to ride in the bed of a pick-up again.

[Alopez105]

04:01 PM on 02/15/2012

Hey ..At least They Are Working,We're Very Blessed To Be Americans..What We Throw Away
This Folks Wish They Had, Conprendes/Understand ???..Count You're Lucky Stars That You were Born Here In This Country Of Planty,If You Get off Ur Ass & Go After Whatever You Want To make of Ur self !

[maya0]

02:01 PM on 02/15/2012

Seeing the wheelbarrels in some of those trucks, probally tells its own story. Each wheelbarrel is owned by someone in the back of the truck. The "maestro" teacher, who owns not just the wheelbarrel but the other tools needed for the work. He will take his own apprententices to work along side him. Most of these are young men in their 20s who in time learn a trade and also become Maestros. Not all Mexicans yern to live in the states. Lots stay put and eek out a living.

[luisrgz]

01:06 PM on 02/15/2012

I don't see what the big deal is... why is this news again?

[mamacat]

08:02 AM on 02/19/2012

Most places in America have safety laws that prohibit riding in the back of pickups, so this is something most of us no longer see.

[fratricide08]

02:49 PM on 02/14/2012

Laying down is probably a lot smarter than sitting up in the back (the way we do it).

[grod805]

07:12 PM on 02/13/2012

What's the big deal about this again?

If you have five people going somewhere and you only have truck, two people go in the back.Its not about being poor, its about being resourceful. You guys act as if we as Americans are somehow above this.

[Ty2010]

10:46 PM on 02/13/2012

That was to and from summer work every day, beats not working.

[epincpalmer]

06:22 PM on 02/13/2012

This looks like any workday in Houston. I have seen this in the rain, cooler than sh;; , hotter than he;;, you name it. These guys are probably just grateful to have a job and that the boss provides transportation to the job instead of telling them to find their own way. You won't find anglo men putting up with this, they would rather sit at home as belly ache about not having a job.

[Ty2010]

10:48 PM on 02/13/2012

I'm anglo and have worked plenty like this, not a big deal.

[Irene Flores]

04:36 PM on 02/13/2012

Yeah you would say just Mexicans, would if they're Guatemalan, Salvadorian or whatever...is it so bad that they will do what they have to do to survive or feed their families. The dangerous things and conditions, one must go through to get through life. It's sad.

And I'm really curious where this Mexican suburb is?!

[Irene Flores]

04:38 PM on 02/13/2012

What if*

[Fran Jaime]

08:09 PM on 02/13/2012

Alejandro Cartagena lives and does most of his photos in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. Monterrey has several suburbs.

[Irene Flores]

10:24 PM on 02/13/2012

That's information not shown on my kindlefire, that or this post is lacking information.

[Muriel Pritchett]

03:52 PM on 02/13/2012

That doesn't look like a ride to work. It looks like a ride to the job site. WAY too much assuming going on about these photos if you ask me.

[MacRtst]

02:13 PM on 02/13/2012

Dehumanizing? I don't see see where the author of this article gets that impression. It's just another mode of transport. How is this any different than people stuffed like sardines into subway cars NY, Chicago or London, trains in India, ferries in the Phillippines?

[annie g]

01:45 PM on 02/13/2012

And this is only a problem with Mexicans? Many people cannot afford cars, regardless of whether one is White, Latino, Black, Chinese etc. So, one does what is necessary and "carpools" because it is a way to get back and forth to a job. These people at least have jobs which is more than I can say for many of our returning Vets and which by the way, some are even homeless.
When the photographer speaks of Mexican suburbs, where are they located?

[pepelepiou]

12:39 PM on 02/13/2012

when travelling in Mexico , I always see tones of dump trucks filled with laborers driving on highways.

[mjames5464]

12:12 PM on 02/13/2012

actually those are just corpses that were picked up on the streets of Mexico.....

[susrusse5]

11:55 AM on 02/13/2012

Looks like South Florida to me and we are not a third world country.

[IfIonlyknew]

04:39 PM on 02/13/2012

Yes we are..

[susrusse5]

11:55 AM on 02/13/2012

Looks like South Florida to me... They all ride in the back of pick ups.