Presidents of Cuba and the U.S. recently announced a rapprochement, but is the island country ready for free expression in the form of contemporary art activism? Recorded in Havana, this Fresh Talk episode features Cuban artist Tania Bruguera and her recent launch of a new initiative: the Hannah Arendt Institute for Artivism. Bruguera is moving ahead with her project despite the fact that she's been under city arrest and subject to government reprisals after her unauthorized public art performance on December 30, 2014, landed her in jail for three days.

Cuban artist Alexandre Arrechea and American art collectors Patricia and Howard Farber talk about the first-ever international Cuban Art Awards sponsored by the Farber Foundation. We recorded this conversation at the Wifredo Lam Contemporary Art Center during the opening event of the 12^th Havana Biennial art exhibition. 

 Sound Editor: Kris McConnachie | Music: Septeto Habanero