Ahead of her performance 'Tatlin’s Whisper #6' in Times Square, Cuban artist and activist Tania Bruguera discusses free speech under authoritarian regimes. The one-hour event, part of Fall of Freedom, questions connections between repression in Cuba and the US, highlighting the precarious state of democracy.

Bruguera’s work, a deceptively simple setup involving a raised platform and microphone, invites participants to share their voices for one minute each, mirroring conditions under dictatorial rule. Its original staging in 2009 during the Havana Biennial saw participants arrested by Cuban state police, illustrating the inherent risks of free expression.

In today’s context, the performance takes on new significance amid US oil blockades and Trump administration silencing tactics, drawing parallels between Cuba and the United States. Tania Bruguera asserts that art must be political in these moments, connecting seemingly disparate situations to spark critical reflection and action.