Hugo Huerta Marin
2017
From: “Portrait of an Artist” Anteism Publishing. 2017.
Anteism Publishing
Portrait of an Artist: Tania Bruguera
interview with Hugo Huerta Marin
Hugo Huerta Marin
Would you consider censorship as the core aspect of your work?
Tania Bruguera
The core of my work is based on the idea of how power works, espe-
cially in regards to censorship. So, in that sense, yes.
HHM
Would you say your work is about a wound but also about the healing process?
TB
My work is about a wound. It’s about something that hurts, and it
hurts because I don’t understand it, or it seems unfair to me. On the
other hand, maybe more than a process of healing, it is a process of
giving hope to others by telling them, “Okay, your wound exists,
but you also have the rest of your body; try not to concentrate on the
wound.” I would love to complete the healing process for others, but
it is only the injured person in question who can do that.
HHM
What is the biggest challenge you have encountered while making
a new piece?
TB
There have been so many…What was once a challenge, later became
a modus operandi incorporated into my artistic practice. Te biggest
challenge is the idea of power in itself. There was a time in my career
where I transitioned from talking about problems, to trying to solve
them. I moved from a moment of representation, to sharing concrete
proposals that could possibly make a difference. I think that when
this shift happened, the challenges associated with my work also
changed. When artists complain or “weep” through their art with
no real solution – thus making it a barren process – art becomes a
comfortable place for some governments and conservative societies.
The great challenge comes, not when the artist identifies the pro-
blem, but rather when they decide to make a change by inventing
parallel worlds. These – although imaginary – can be dangerous for
the status quo. When I refer to power, I am referring not only to the
powers within a government, but also to the structures of power wit-
hin the art world. Challenges keep changing. For example, when I
was younger, the challenge at the time was to create an artistic lan-
guage that could reach the masses – language that the neighbor, the
nanny or the curator of MoMA could understand. Te next challenge,
imposed by the work itself, was how I could become an international
artist without losing the urgency of the work. Currently, I’m facing
the challenge of talking to politicians as an artist. People in power –
whether it’s a president or ten-thousand people on the streets – need
to understand art as an instrument for social change. An artist needs
to incorporate art into everyday political issues.
HHM
Is documentation an important element in your work?
TB
It’s a nightmare. Documentation is an important part of my work,
but I have neglected that part a lot.
HHM
It seems that you have had a war against documentation.
TB
It is nearly impossible for me to think about documentation when I’m
doing a performance. In that moment, I’m not thinking about the fu-
ture, nor of the possibility of an exhibition about it the following day.
Instead, I’m thinking about the present, and that’s the beauty behind
performance art. In my opinion, the best form of documentation is to
run into a spectator eight or ten years after the performance and they
reminisce and recount their feelings and thoughts after witnessing a
particular work. Te best documentation is the emotional memory of
the viewer. I firmly believe that documentation cannot replace the
experience itself, because in doing so, it defeats the purpose of per-
formance art. The way I’ve tried to cope with this is seen in Tribute to
Ana Mendieta, where I re-contextualized the work while attempting
to preserve the original tension between the work and the viewer,
and tried to see if those issues were still relevant or still creating fric-
tion. I did not attempt to replicate the original image, but rather, I
tried to update the conflict came from the original work. Sometimes,
this required creating a new image, different from the documented
one. Te interest lies in the transformative process of the work, not in
the specific action or its image.
HHM
Can we talk about the genesis of the Ana Mendieta series?
TB
I was eighteen years old. I noticed that all the “important” artists we
studied in school were solely men, and that there were no iconic fe-
male figures for me to look up to. Some friends showed me a postcard
of Ana Mendieta, and a mutual friend told our group that the next
time she would come to Cuba, he would introduce us. But unfor-
tunately, Ana Mendieta passed away before that could happen. Upon
hearing the news of her death, I felt a strong emotional void, which
was further exacerbated by the emigration of some people I held close
– my boyfriend, my teachers and my friends. During this time, ano-
ther aspect of her work manifested; the trans territorial character of
national identity. I therefore decided to express myself through Ana
Mendieta. Simultaneously, I understood that Cuba was not the image
of a man carrying fifty years in power, nor were the pictures of the
colorful masses. Cuba was a philosophy of life. Tat day I decided
that my work would be Cuban, but not through the use of its colors,
landscapes or national symbols, but because I felt it could be a diffe-
rent way of portraying the world.
HHM
Is she still an important influence for you?
TB
Yes. The way she has influenced me has changed over the years, but
she still is an important influence in my work. In the beginning, I was
very interested in her works on Jaruco and the idea of going out of
the white cube and creating ephemeral art. Later, I became interested
in how she dealt with politics. She was very political with regards
to Cuba, feminism and her own position within the art world. Ana
Mendieta adopted Land Art in her own way, and that was an impor-
tant lesson. I am still influenced by works such as Rape Scene, or People
Looking at Blood, where her work merges with the lives of others. But
one thing that will always influence me is her love for performance.
HHM
She studies the reaction of people.
TB
Exactly. People can pass by her artwork and have no clue that it is
fine art. In my opinion, it’s influential to me because that’s what I’m
trying to do with my work – creating art that is incorporated into life.
She did this in a masterful way.
HHM
What comparative issues are there between creating a work for a public
space, such as Untitled Havana, 2000, and creating a work to be installed wit-
hin a museum context, like that of Tatlin ìs Whisper #5 at Tate Modern’s
Turbine Hall?
TB
We can use the same work over again because MoMA bought it, and
this is exactly what is happening right now. Untitled Havana 2000 was
made within the institutional context for a museum, as part of the
Havana Biennale. This event occurs every three years as an exhibition
space, and the energy of the place is very powerful.
HHM
The same happened with Tatlin’s Whisper #6.
TB
Exactly, that would be a better example. I think there’s something
interesting about Cuban art and perhaps the art in other socialist
countries. In these settings, art replaces spaces of freedom that can-
not be found anywhere else. An artist is given much more credibility
and visibility than an activist, and this gives the artist a responsibi-
lity – to think about all the things that occur inside and outside of
the performance, and within or outside the institution as part of the
function of the work. Another big difference is that when you create
a work within the artistic context, you are somehow “protected” by
the institution and it allows you to create a playful moment in that
space, compared to what happens when you work outside the insti-
tutional context. In such a case, there is no such “protection” of any
kind, you must use a completely different language, because you are
no longer talking to curators but to police officers instead. In this
case, symbolism is speculated about less, and therefore you have to
work with the history and the tensions of the place and the context.
HHM
The Burden of Guilt, Memoria de la Postguerra and el Susurro de Tatlin are all
such strong titles that seem to complement the work. How do you decide
to name your work?
TB
Well, I was inspired by Marcel Duchamp (laughs). When I was a
student, I identified the importance of titles. The art school I attended
in Cuba was very conceptualist and contextualist at the same time.
We were taught that the title of the work had to provide informa-
tion which the direct experience didn’t, in order to lead the public
in some way – within all possible interpretations. For instance, the
title Tatlin is understood as a work about communism and utopia. The
work eventually becomes an image, and images can change the mea-
ning of the work. Therefore, you can find that interpretation in the
title. This is why I translate the titles of my work; to preserve what I
am communicating.
HHM
What is the difference between an activist and a political artist?
TB
Good question. In my opinion the difference is that the activist uses
strategies and tools that are effective and “proven”. Te artist is inte-
rested in creating new tools without being completely sure how they
will work. We must be very aware that the work of the political artist
must work politically, as it is very common to see artists who claim
to be political artists for the simple fact of using political images –
that’s not political art. Te political artist is looking for a reaction and
to engage the people. I’m currently using a concept called artivist –
wanting to change society like an activist, but through art.
HHM
How would you define Arte de Conducta “Behaviour Art”?
TB
The material and the language used in the work represents
the behavior. As a result of this, the metaphor occurs. To create a so-
cial statement through behavior.
HHM
Has making money changed the way you make art?
TB
What money? (laughs). I cannot say money, but let’s say access and
privileges that have the potential to have an institutional impact, and
this is something important. Te privilege of being an artist gives me
a certain responsibility of which I must be aware.
HHM
By giving voice to the voiceless, is the concept of resistance assumed in
your work?
TB
Look, I think it’s dangerous to say that I “speak for the voiceless”.
Everyone has a voice and has the ability to use it. Te problem lies in
those who do not want to listen. There is a tendency to individua-
lize things; there is a tendency to focus on the person and not the
problem. The art world must get educated and transform in order
for political art to be properly achieved. Political artists should not
become celebrities, because this will fuck up the work. When that
happens, the authenticity, impact and respect are stripped away, and
it takes a lot of effort to earn that respect as a political artist. Political
art is not an art to consume; it is an art meant to engage and trans-
form. No matter what happens to you as an artist, your main concern
should be to transmit the message and get the people to engage with
the problem that you are trying to solve.
HHM
In that sense, do you believe that this concept of resistance is implicit in
your work?
TB
¿Qué quieres decir con resistencia?
What do you mean by “resistance”?
HHM
I’m referring to the idea of imposing what you think, feel and see through
your work.
TB
Yes, I believe there is a resistance. It is an excellent word that should
be used more often in these kinds of conversations because art is a
battle itself. Having visibility does not mean that you are going to
have an impact. Tere is a resistance in that you need to understand
when the artist should be present, and when the artist should leave.
In this way, a public space is created in order for other people to use.
I believe, that as comfortable it is for the status quo, it is very dan-
gerous for the artist to speak “for” others. The artist should speak
“with” others.
HHM
You have talked about “aesthetics of ethics”. What is your concept of beauty?
TB
My concept of beauty manifests itself in an ethical gesture that pro-
poses another way to operate in the world, and I call it ‘aest-ethics’.
HHM
You have referred to the audience as citizens and not as spectators in your
performance. Would you agree with Marcel Duchamp when he said that
“the audience does half of the work”?
TB
I absolutely agree with Marcel Duchamp’s statement. I also agree
with Allan Kaprow when he said that the public should disappear, as
well as with Joseph Beuys when he said that everyone is an artist. As
it happens, that is the linear sequence of my current research. I think
we have reached an era where everyone believes they are an artist.
People are driving the iconography and the images with more exper-
tise. A clear example of this is found through Instagram. Tis leads to
questions such as: What kind of artists we are creating? What is the
role of art? What is art for?
HHM
How do you think things have changed in the art world for Latin American
artists over the last few decades?
TB
There is definitely more visibility even though we still have to face
many stereotypes. It is important to remember the Latin American
criticism. It explains the artistic process from a Latin American pers-
pective. Often, critics from other places do not understand the social,
historical, anecdotal and emotional origins that a Latin American
work refers to. For example, if you work with images of violence or
poverty, some critics might interpret them in the wrong context,
resulting in things like porno-misery. It is important to fully unders-
tand the complexity of certain realities in order to present them to
other groups of people that are not aware of them.
HHM
How does a museum contribute to a project like Immigrant Movement
International?
TB
It can contribute by allowing the flexibility to adapt to the ideas and
needs of the project. It is exhausting to work on an institutional pro-
ject and having to invest more time trying to change the institution,
rather than making the project itself. It is better to look for natural
allies and try to work with institutions that fit with the way you
work, and the way you think about art. Te institution must unders-
tand that working with a community that has a different experience,
means that the work must be flexible. I was very lucky to work with
Creative Time and the Queens Museum because they were institu-
tions that trusted me. It is far more important that institutions rely on
the artist, rather than just providing the artist with money.
HHM
How would you describe your relationship with art galleries?
TB
Horrible. In 2011, I decided to leave all the galleries that were repre-
senting me and I stopped showing my work in museums altogether. I
wanted to make a statement regarding my position against the inade-
quacy of institutions to exhibit works such as Immigrant Movement
International. Galleries, in my experience, like my work as an artist,
but once I decide to work with them, they want me to start doing
things that are unnatural to me – I have often been asked to draw,
paint or make videos.
HHM
A product.
TB
Yes – a product. Working with galleries proves to be difficult because
we do not agree on the definition and functions of art. Also, in my
opinion, galleries are not very creative. If they can’t come up with
a traditional way of selling your work, they are either not interested
in representing you, or they want to change the way you make art.
Instead of being innovative, they turn it into a boring business, just
like the art market. On the one hand, I do not think that the artist is
a producer, and on the other hand, who owns the work? Where does
it circulate? What are its effects in these conditions?
HHM
Many artists have grown up in totalitarian regimes and have based their
work on their restrictions, for instance, how to overcome and rebel against
them. Tey then go to free countries like the U.S. and find that the art does
not work anymore. It seems that freedom “paralyzes” it. Have you ever
found yourself in this position?
TB
Yes. There is a certain myth and fascination with censorship and its
creative capacity. I think it is dangerous because it can rationalize
the unjustifiable. Censorship forces you to focus and think of the es-
sential, but this does not mean you become a better artist. On the
other hand, I don’t think a free society is necessarily free. In reality,
freedom only exists within oneself, and not in society. I think we are
living in a time of global totalitarianism. In some places, this tota-
litarianism manifests itself through legislative abuse and elsewhere
through imposed and unquestioned economies. In the end, cen-
sorship against freedom of expression has many variations. There
are also many risks when the work is in reference to the removal of a
specific context. The transition is difficult, and the work often loses
levels of complexity because it is made for a new audience and a new
context. During this process of adaptation, an artist’s creativity may
relapse. Trough the negotiation process, a new structure of cen-
sorship can coexist along with the new creative space.
HHM
What are your thoughts on the rise of the artist as celebrity?
TB
I consider it dangerous because I believe it is another form of dicta-
torship. Te only benefit of being a celebrity, is that your message
reaches a much larger group of people.
HHM
Where do you go to be alone?
TB
In my head. And I’m there all the time (laughs).
HHM
At what point in your career did you feel like you were successful as an artist?
TB
When I succeeded in creating a community that would discuss
the issues that I deemed urgent and that were not spoken about by
other artists. For example, I created the Behavior Art School, project
#YoTambiénExijo “I Also Demand”, and Arte Útil “Useful Art”.
HHM
Do you worry about being overexposed?
TB
Yes, because overexposure can damage the work in a significant way.
It is also important to understand the use of “exposure”. Capitalistic
societies often work in a formalistic way and can make things
superficial, and one can fall into that trap. The main purpose is not
what you do, but why you do it.
HHM
Do you have any recurring dreams?
TB
I’ll tell you what my recurring dream is: a world without borders,
where people are valued by what they do, and not for what they own.
HHM
What was the first record you ever bought?
TB
Well, I didn’t buy it because you couldn’t buy records in Cuba. But
I had a mixtape of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd; which are still my
favorites.
HHM
Marcel Duchamp once ended a symposium by saying that he thought the
great artist of tomorrow “cannot be seen, should not be seen, and should
go underground”. Do you agree?
TB
This is what I’m trying to do (laughs).
HHM
What inspires you the most?
TB
I wouldn’t use the word “inspires” but rather, what “motivates” me
– and what motivates me is seeing an injustice and knowing that it
should and could be different, and that there is a possibility of change.
HHM
What is the most honest thing you can say about yourself?
TB
I’m scared – I’m scared of giving up and losing strength. I’m afraid of
being afraid.