History of ¨Alasart. Art and Time¨
A Journey of Transformation and Awareness (2010-2024)
In 2010, the Art History Master Claudia Sanginés, who recently graduated from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, took the initiative to create a platform to help historians, art historians, and other researchers or students have a place to publish their articles, courses, and more. The platform had a different name at first. It featured various sections such as a catalog of freely copyrightable photos, education for children, and options for both free and paid content. The idea took shape in Guatemala with the help of people from different nationalities. The initial platform was created on Ning and transferred to Wix in 2013.
We undertook a volunteer project in Art History education with children and other activities, which turned out to be very moving. The children's project was independently continued by Shai Porath in California, who works on children's education from different perspectives. Other collaborators, who wished to remain anonymous, were instrumental in developing ideas and the website.
In 2012, Matteo Scala joined the project, and with his designer’s intelligence and structure, he helped us create a new name, logo, and vision. The new name became Alasart: Art and Time, which simplified the project's idea of bringing Art History education to different parts of the world, from the most marginalized to the wealthiest areas, from various perspectives. The name symbolizes art that flies, flows, and is exchanged, while "Time" refers to things happening across the past, present, and future—everything related to history and humanities.
Initially, the goal was to focus only on Art History and History, but we saw the need to broaden our topics to include Humanities, Psychology, Spirituality, and Holistic matters. Today, ¨Alasart.Art and Time¨ is a cultural research center and comprehensive platform operating mainly online or in-person services. It is directed by Master Claudia Sanginés, assisted by Matteo Scala, Silvia Sayavedra, Mihai Algiu, Yutsil Sanginés, and other anonymous contributors.
The center and platform have several sections: Guests, Alasart Editions, Alasart Projects, Soluna Kitchen, Alternative Education for Children at Alasart, Mesoarteh (specialized in pre-Hispanic art), artist promotion, interviews, holistic therapies, Alasart: Art and Time YouTube channel, mandalas, chakras, psychology, magazine, spiritual matters, and others that are still being developed and worked on. Alasart: Art and Time is constantly striving to improve its research and course services, seeking innovation and knowledge sources to help us offer better service. We are also looking for people who want to fund projects or help low-income individuals take courses with us.
The Foundation: Sowing Seeds of Knowledge
Since its inception, Alasart has focused on creating a place where people could promote their activities and express their ideas. In an increasingly polarized world, the need for a space that integrated education with reflection on historical, artistic, and spiritual topics became evident. In 2010, we began consolidating small groups with children, teaching Art History and art therapy in English and Spanish. These early initiatives laid the foundation for an educational approach that aimed not only to inform but also to inspire and transform.
The Importance of Teaching History from Different Perspectives:
Religious, Spiritual, and Scientific
Teaching history from multiple perspectives—religious, spiritual, and scientific—is essential for developing a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the past. The following are key reasons why this diverse approach enriches learning and critical thinking:
1. Fosters a Holistic Understanding of the Past
Teaching history from different perspectives allows students to grasp the complexity of historical events and cultures. Religious, spiritual, and scientific viewpoints offer varied approaches to the same facts and processes, providing a fuller, richer view of the past. This diversity of perspectives helps avoid a reductionist and one-sided view of history, promoting a deeper and more nuanced understanding of historical contexts.
2. Develops Critical Thinking and Empathy
By exposing students to different interpretations of historical events, they are encouraged to question and analyze information sources from multiple angles. This fosters critical thinking and the ability to assess the truth and relevance of various historical narratives. Additionally, understanding how diverse cultures and belief systems have interpreted the past helps students develop empathy for different groups and perspectives, promoting greater tolerance and intercultural understanding.
3. Enriches Understanding of Beliefs and Human Values
Religious and spiritual perspectives often provide insights into the belief systems, values, and practices that have influenced societies throughout history. These views help to understand how beliefs and values have shaped human actions, institutions, and social structures. For example, the influence of religion on politics, art, and morality throughout history provides essential context for understanding cultural and social development.
4. Promotes Dialogue and Ongoing Reflection
Teaching history from various perspectives facilitates dialogue between different traditions and approaches. This dialogue not only enriches historical understanding but also promotes continuous reflection on how different viewpoints can coexist and complement each other. Addressing history inclusively fosters a learning environment where the exchange of ideas is valued, and the multiple dimensions of human experience are considered.
5. Prepares Students for a Diverse and Globalized World
In an increasingly globalized and diverse world, the ability to understand and respect different perspectives is crucial. Teaching history from multiple perspectives prepares students to interact with people from different cultural backgrounds and beliefs. This not only enhances their ability to collaborate in diverse contexts but also enables them to approach global issues with an open mind and an appreciation of cultural and religious complexity.
6. Fosters Innovation and Creativity in Historical Interpretation
By exploring history from different angles, students may discover new connections and patterns that would not be evident from a single perspective. This interdisciplinary approach fosters innovation in historical interpretation and promotes creativity in analyzing historical events and processes. The combination of religious, spiritual, and scientific approaches can reveal new ways of understanding and explaining the past.
In summary, teaching history from religious, spiritual, and scientific perspectives is essential for providing a comprehensive and balanced understanding of the past. This approach enriches learning, fosters critical thinking, and prepares students to be informed and empathetic global citizens. The integration of diverse perspectives not only deepens the understanding of history, and promotes a more inclusive and respectful view of the world.
Evolution and Growth: Specialized Consulting
However, everything changed in 2012. As Alasart was consolidating, the need to offer more personalized service led to the transformation of the platform into a specialized consulting firm under the name of the founder Claudia Sangines Sayavedra. We began offering various services, adapting to the needs of our clients. This included helping to design websites and providing specialized consulting in Art History, as well as creating educational programs for individuals and companies. We are proud to have worked with or provided volunteer services to organizations like Corinthian Decorative Finishes, Apollo University, La Salle Oaxaca, Anáhuac, Vida Cuántica Oaxaca, Apollo Performing Arts, CELAMEX, Sri Aurobindo Society, Thermomix, Isagenix, Brahma Kumaris, and assistant to Antonio Paoli Bolio, among other people and organizations.
From these encounters, Alasart. Art and Time began generating, its educational projects and book publishing initiatives to expand further.
A New Horizon: Integration of Technology and Creativity
In 2018, Alasart took a bold step by starting to offer editorial and book publishing services on KDP, selling the books on Amazon. This allowed Alasart to incorporate technological tools that enhanced the learning experience and access to resources. Additionally, that same year, we began developing an **interview project** aimed at exploring and sharing the voices of contemporary artists, educators, and thinkers. These interviews became a valuable resource, offering a window into various perspectives on art, education, and spirituality.
A Holistic Approach: Mandalas and Chakras
Beginning in 2016, Alasart expanded its focus towards holistic healing, incorporating teachings on mandalas and chakras, influenced by a growing interest in Indian culture. This new direction led to the development of a specialized mandala project that explores the topic from different perspectives, combining art, spirituality, and healing. This initiative not only enriched our service portfolio but also provided participants with tools for self-expression and self-awareness.
Connection with the Past and the Future: Honoring Thinkers
Always in search of new voices and perspectives, Alasart continued establishing connections with ancient thinkers, recognizing that knowledge is an ongoing journey. In its workshops and courses, the teachings of historical figures were explored, as well as contemporary practices, creating a bridge between the past and the present.
Commitment to the Community: An Open Space for All
Alasart's commitment to diversity and inclusion became a fundamental pillar. No races or beliefs were discriminated against, and a discourse of respect and empathy was promoted. The creation of a consultant area allowed other professionals to join Alasart's mission, further expanding the range of services and enriching collective knowledge.
2024: A Bright Future
Today, in 2024, Alasart has established itself as a cultural research center and comprehensive platform. A space for the dissemination of art and culture, a place where conscious and loving education flourishes. The publications, interviews, and artist promotions have created a vibrant community that thrives on the exchange of ideas. Furthermore, Alasart's commitment to learning from its students and adapting its programs has strengthened its mission to help people create a new form of awareness.
The Mission Continues: Nourishing the Soul
Over the years, founders Claudia Sanginés and Matteo Scala have studied various subjects. Their vision is not just to inform but also to inspire, empower, and accompany each individual on their journey of self-discovery through art and history.
In the future, we hope to have coordinators and section directors and for the center to help provide employment to several people, reaching and expanding to every corner of the earth, and if possible, beyond.
We seek to continually offer more to the human spiritual mind, ensuring that our services are of great help to human consciousness in collaboration with other organizations.
Thus, Alasart is in constant evolution, ready to face future challenges, always looking for new ways to express knowledge and raise awareness in a world that needs spaces for reflection and creativity more than ever. The story of Alasart is, essentially, a story of transformation, connection, and a love for learning.
Alasart. Art and Time envisions itself as an innovative cultural research center and comprehensive platform that merges the approaches of both the left and right brain, and the perspectives of Eastern and Western traditions. Our goal is to foster a deeper and more loving understanding of the human being and their spiritual development, promoting a harmonious integration of various schools of thought, traditions, and sciences.
Integrating Cultural and Spiritual Perspectives: Creating an environment where Western and Eastern visions and practices intertwine, including aspects like mandalas, chakras, myths, and the Catholic religion, among others.
Fostering Integral Education: Developing and disseminating educational programs that address both critical thinking and intuition, fostering a deeper understanding of the world and oneself.
Promoting Dialogue and Collaboration: Facilitating spaces for collaboration between different spiritual and cultural schools, allowing for the exchange of ideas and mutual enrichment.
Educating for Conscious Action: Teaching to act consciously rather than reacting impulsively, and to communicate effectively and empathetically.
Inspiring through Art and Culture: Using art and various cultural manifestations as means to explore and express the depths of the human soul.
Alasart. Art and Time seeks to be a beacon of knowledge and collaboration, integrating the diversity of human experience to promote a more complete and loving understanding of the world and oneself.