Charwei Tsai, 'Sky Mantra', 2009, (video still). Commissioned by Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation, Sydney, Australia. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Opening Reception
 
In the Present Moment: Buddhism, Contemporary Art, and Social Practice

September 14, 5p.m. - 8p.m.
Walter Phillips Gallery

Guest curated by Haema Sivanesan

Sameer Farooq, Robert Filliou, Tomoyo Ihaya, Haruko Okano, Tina Pearson, Chrysanne Stathacos, Susan Stewart, Charwei Tsai, Paul Walde, and Lam Wong

Artist books, multiples and scores by George Brecht, Robert Filliou, Dick Higgins and Takako Saito; John Cage; Dick Higgins, George Brecht; Robert Filliou; Pauline Oliveros; Yoko Ono; and La Monte Young (ed).

Please join us for the Opening Reception of the exhibition, In the Present Moment: Buddhism, Contemporary Art, and Social Practice.

In the Present Moment: Buddhism, Contemporary Art, and Social Practice examines how artists in North America have drawn on Buddhism as a methodology of art practice. It considers how Buddhism has contributed to important developments in contemporary art including the dematerialization of the art object, a phenomenon that radicalized art production and was key to the development of conceptual art and participatory art practices. The exhibition demonstrates the cultural impact of Asia on North America and reflects on an ongoing history of cross-cultural encounter and exchange.

In the Present Moment: Buddhism, Contemporary Art, and Social Practice is guest curated by Haema Sivanesan, Director, Leighton Studios and Program Partnerships. This exhibition draws on research undertaken during her tenure as Curator, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, generously supported by funding from The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, Hong Kong and Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, New York.

The exhibition at Walter Phillips Gallery is made possible through the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Government of Canada and Government of Alberta.