Dissident artist Tania Bruguera back in the U.S. after being detained for 8 months in Cuba

Dissident artist Tania Bruguera back in the U.S. after being detained
for 8 months in Cuba
Carolina A. Miranda
LOS ANGELES TIMES
carolina.miranda​@latimes.com

Performance artist Tania Bruguera, who had her passport confiscated in
Cuba after trying to stage a performance about freedom of expression in
a public plaza in Havana, is back in the U.S., according to a statement
issued by #YoTambienExijo, the art and activism program run by Bruguera
and her sister Deborah.

The artist, an internationally known Cuban national who spends long
spells working and teaching abroad, landed in New York City Friday to
participate in the 2015 Yale World Fellows program, a leadership summit
organized by Yale University. According to the statement, she was picked
up by representatives from Yale at the airport.

Bruguera did not announce her departure from Cuba in advance. She
advised the members of #YoTambienExijo of her plans only after the
flight was in air, using onboard Wi-Fi.

Her return caps a fraught eight months with Bruguera held in virtual
detention in Cuba — all during a dramatic moment in which the U.S. and
Cuba have been engaged in a historic diplomatic thaw.

The artist was first detained just prior to the new year after trying to
stage a work titled "Tatlin's Whisper #6" in Havana's iconic Revolution
Square. The piece consists of a lectern and an open microphone where
members of the public are invited to speak freely for one minute.

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Upon her detention, she had her passport revoked so that she was
unable to leave Cuba. During her time there, she was detained by state
security forces on multiple occasions, most recently during the Havana
Biennial, the glitzy international art exhibition held in May.
Throughout her detention, there was the possibility that Bruguera might
be formally charged with disturbing the public order.

In recent weeks, however, it became apparent that the Cuban government
was not going to charge her. In mid-July, authorities returned
Bruguera's passport to her.

Before departing, the artist was trying to get some sort of written
guarantee that she would be able to return to the island country. It is
not clear whether she was able to secure such a document.

Neither Bruguera, nor a representative for the Yale World Fellows, could
be reached for comment.

Find me on Twitter @cmonstah.

Source: Dissident artist Tania Bruguera back in the U.S. after being
detained for 8 months in Cuba - LA Times -
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/miranda/la-et-cam-dissident-artist-tania-bruguera-back-in-us-after-8-months-in-cuba-20150822-column.html