In Buddhist teaching, the concept of being in the present moment refers to a practice of living mindfully with full awareness of the world, including an awareness of the consequences of one’s actions. It is a state of active presence combined with profound peace and joyful appreciation, each cumulatively embracing the potential of the eternal now.

In the Present Moment: Buddhism, Contemporary Art and Social Practice explores how artists have variously grappled with the concept of being in the present moment by using their art practice to explore this deceptively complex concept and to give that inquiry aesthetic form. Tracing a history of the intersection of Buddhist thought and artistic production in North America (United States and Canada) from the mid-20th century to the present, In the Present Moment draws on the extensive collections at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria along with leading research and, for many artists, lifelong investigations into the relationship between art, life, and Buddhist practice to explore how Buddhist ideas and philosophy have played an important and often underappreciated role in the development of contemporary art.

Haema Sivanesan's profile page

Haema Sivanesan is the Chief Curator at the Glenbow Museum and was previously Curator at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria where she conceived and spearheaded the In the Present Moment project. She has held leadership and curatorial positions in public galleries and artist-run centres across Canada, and internationally. She currently lives in Calgary, AB.

"In The Present Moment is an intellectual feast: well written, engaging, and beyond the norm. It draws on extensive research and brings to the fore a new and exciting transcultural perspective on the practices of several Asian transnationally-situated and diasporic artists, unveiling their deep-rooted yet under-acknowledged entanglement with Buddhist practices and ways of life."
- Asian Diasporic Cultures and the America

"In the Present Moment is a rich volume that offers a multifaceted, nuanced, and thoughtful contemplation from many diverse voices."
- BuddhistDoor