“to see beyond the surface of Idris’ past and appreciate the complexity of his present life”
A Struggling Worker Posts Videos as a Costumed Hero
ABOUT MY ONE MINUTE DOCUMENTARY
By Elvis Martinez Cartagena
For my photo essay, I focused on the story of Idris, a man whose past legal troubles derailed his dreams of becoming a professional football player. Now, he works a variety of odd jobs, including at a car wash, to make ends meet. However, what truly sets him apart is his side passion—dressing up as a fictional hero and posting exercise videos on social media. This juxtaposition of his past struggles and present identity as both a worker and an online persona was the core of my narrative.
The inspiration for this project came from the “Heroes and Villains” exhibition at the University of Texas in Arlington museum. The exhibit explored the duality of individuals, portraying how people’s actions and roles can be perceived as heroic or villainous, depending on the perspective. This concept resonated with me, particularly in the way Idris embodies both the ‘hero’ of his own redemption story and the ‘villain’ in society’s eyes due to his criminal history. By focusing on Idris’ personal and professional life, I wanted to humanize his struggles and showcase how he reclaims control over his narrative.
Through this photo essay, I aimed to challenge stereotypes, particularly about former convicts, by highlighting Idris’ passion, hard work, and determination. The photo series emphasizes not only his laborious day-to-day tasks but also his creative and motivational side, which he shares online. This combination of ordinary and extraordinary was key in conveying the theme of transformation, allowing the audience to see beyond the surface of Idris’ past and appreciate the complexity of his present life. Ultimately, the project is about how people can move past mistakes and reclaim their sense of purpose, an idea that aligns closely with the themes explored in the museum exhibition.
Meet Elvis Martinez Cartagena
I’m a 22-year-old photographer with roots in Puerto Rico, Florida, and now Texas. I initially set out to become a physical therapist, studying kinesiology, but along the way, I discovered a deep love for writing and photography that redirected my path towards journalism.
When I’m not capturing life through my lens, you’ll find me drawing or writing, usually with some classic tunes playing—anything from Dean Martin to Janis Joplin, though I’ve also got a soft spot for rap.
About AMA+UTA CreateCollab
Throughout the Fall 2024 semester, the Arlington Museum of Art is partnering with The University of Texas at Arlington and a senior-level digital storytelling class to explore a wide variety of contemporary themes inspired by the museum’s mission, values, and exhibitions.
Class projects include photo essays, one-minute documentaries, and one-minute podcasts about themes as broad as creating detailed flower arrangements, a life saving cat cafe, everyday heroes, and environmental art.
Associate Professor of Communication Erika Pribanic-Smith, who teaches the class, values opportunities to bring real-world experiences to her students.
“My goal is to give my students real-world experience in all of my classes, creating real stories using real sources,” said Dr. Pribanic-Smith. “Creating stories that will be published for the public to see, not just submitted for a grade, gives students extra incentive to put forth their best effort. Furthermore, working with professionals gives the students another layer of feedback to reinforce what they’re learning in the classroom. I prefer to work with organizations like the Arlington Museum of Art who will benefit in some way from the students’ content so that we are providing a service to the community.”
