On May 1, coinciding with International Workers’ Day, Cuban artist Tania Bruguera will perform “Tatlin’s Whisper #6” in Times Square, New York. The performance, originating from the 2009 Havana Biennial, involves a simple platform and microphone setup, originally inviting Cubans to speak freely for one minute each, highlighting the precarious nature of free expression under authoritarian regimes. Attempts to restage the piece in Havana led to Bruguera and others being detained by authorities.
Scheduled to take place at noon on Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets, this one-hour performance arrives during a tense period. The US oil blockade has worsened Cuba’s humanitarian crisis, while President Trump threatens invasion. In the US, the administration employs tactics reminiscent of fascism, adding urgency to the performance co-organized by Times Square Arts and the Fall of Freedom initiative.
Bruguera explains that her work, which she terms arte de conducta, serves as a gauge of the political climate, connecting disparate situations like Cuban repression and US political dynamics. She emphasizes the importance of questioning assumptions and understanding that authoritarianism can arise anywhere, echoing Hannah Arendt’s insights.
Discussing the Cuban regime’s disconnect from the people, Bruguera stresses the need to separate the Cuban populace from the government. She points out that the regime’s inaction and repression have stifled alternative solutions and that Cuba’s future must be determined by its citizens. She also calls for a balanced critique of both Cuban and US governmental actions.
Reflecting on her 2014 work in Havana, Bruguera notes the shifting courage among Cubans, driven by desperation. She argues for the protection of artistic expression in the US, highlighting the role of art in envisioning society. Her performance, now part of the Guggenheim’s collection, was initially thought unsuitable for the US, yet recent political developments have made its message relevant.
