The Present Tense is a personal exploration of the people, places, and creative expressions that shape everyday life—from urban and natural environments to artists across the country where I live now.
In a world that moves rapidly and where time feels more limited than ever, I’m drawn to the art of noticing—discovering a kinder face in what we often overlook, in the unfamiliar, or in things that don’t seem appealing at first glance.
Living in the present with an aesthetic perspective means stopping, pausing, and observing twice. To look mindfully is to tame that fleeting sense of time, to find incidental art in cities, in the people who come and go, and in the seemingly unremarkable paths we pass again and again. I believe this contributes to the idea of building community, including people from diverse backgrounds, appreciating diversity, and using the lens we need to see our present more clearly and to understand that the spaces we inhabit can become points of connection.
This project also embraces traditional art spaces such as museums and theaters, along with art in its many forms. The photo chosen for this entry reflects this idea—taking the time to sit, observe, and learn from the moment, from what is happening right in front of us.
Jesús Miguel Soto
the present tense 