EXPERIENCES MADE OF WOOL: VISUAL AND VERBAL METAPHORICAL RECONCEPTUALIZATION IN ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE NARRATIVES

This paper aims at exploring adoption and foster care discourse (AFD) so as to uncover the role of multimodal novel metaphor, and the resulting ad hoc concepts, in (re)addressing (AF) narratives. It specifically focuses on the picture book Speranza’s Sweater (Pusey and Mello, 2018), and the extended conceptual metaphor a life story (of a child [in adoption or foster care]) is a sweater, as well as the net of minor related metaphors. These are analysed following Romero and Soria’s (1997, 2005a, 2007, 2014 and 2016) as well as Forceville (1994, 2008)’s frameworks on, respectively, novel and multimodal metaphors. Dictionaries, thesauri, corpus-assisted tools, as well as close reading/viewing will inform the delineation of source and target domains. The paper illustrates and concludes the cognitive power of multimodal creative choices in relation to (AFD) to integrate children’s past, present, and future experiences, while strengthening their sense of identity and belonging.

The “Africanization” of an African Diaspora Household: Toyin Falola and the Idea of Diasporic Home-Making

This essay is an exercise in the interrogation of cultural globalization, and how the idea of transnationalism generates identity responses. The authors used the concept of home-making to examine how Toyin Falola deployed an aesthetic sensibility of African art as ideological dynamics for the personalization of his home situated in a suburb in Austin, Texas. The Africanization agenda that the Falola house operationalized points at the critical role that interior decoration can play in African diaspora homes. The project is crucial because it undermines the homogenizing reach of globalization that dislocates the sense of identity of an average African transnational migrant. In the Falola home, we confront an assemblage of aesthetic consciousness, dynamics of Africanity, and identity construction.

Competing Fantasies and Alternative Realities: Salman Rushdie's The Golden House

This article examines one of the earliest novels of the Trump era, Salman Rushdie's The Golden House (2017), as part of a literary corpus that felt compelled to respond to the derealization of political culture by producing fictions commensurate to the new “American reality.” Spanning the years from the first inauguration of Obama to the election of Trump, the novel depicts a nation that has “left reality behind and entered the comic-book universe,” a turn to fantasy that precedes the final irruption of a wealthy vulgarian who calls himself the Joker, and who subverts any previous sense of identity and of what is “real.” Drawing from the notion of national fantasy as argued by Lauren Berlant (1991), Jacqueline Rose (1996), and Donald Pease (2009), the article suggests that Rushdie's novel performs and invites a rare self-examination in the context of early literary responses to the rise of Trumpism.

“I Want to Go Home”: The Representation of Dual Homecoming in Dorothy Allison’s Cavedweller

The aim of the article is to discuss Dorothy Allison’s novel Cavedweller (1998) in terms of the narrative strategies of doubling. The novel features Delia, a woman who returns to the South with her daughter, Cissy, to reconnect with the rest of her family. While Delia’s return to her hometown meets with social ostracism, her daughter manages to find a sense of identity and belonging in the underground caves in Georgia. The two parallel stories of homecoming are presented by Allison through the images of doubling, which help her to confront regional traumas and tensions of the South.

Haumanu Ipukarea reviving tūrangawaewae, identity and place

<p>Landscapes are a fundamental component for the identity of people. This is evident through the eyes of the indigenous Māori people who express, like many indigenous cultures, that identity is formed from ones interconnected relationship to the land. For Māori, land is embodied as a part of their identity formed by the principle of whakapapa and importantly mātauranga. Mātauranga Māori is the comprehensive body of traditional indigenous knowledge built over centuries of both physical and metaphysical paradigms. Much of the knowledge obtained, originated from te taiao, where the importance of mountains, rivers, lakes, forests and place, established one’s sense of tūrangawaewae. Since the first colonial migrations to Aotearoa/New Zealand, much of the traditional knowledge acquired and developed over generation’s are at great risk of western dominance. Western science and knowledge has altered the endemic Aotearoa/New Zealand landscape dramatically depleting many natural ecologies. Forests and waterways continue to be in jeopardy from commercialisation and urbanisation, where the current urban environment questions the way we appreciate and make sense of our endemic natural landscape. Alterations to the land has prompted changes in people’s beliefs and values, and sense of identity. Mātauranga has slowly begun to be reintroduced into the urban environment as a progressive way forward. This research builds upon the concept to promote mātauranga, reconnecting people and place, and improving one’s sense of identity. With more than 88% of Māori now residing in urban areas, and many non-Māori unaware of indigenous cultural values and beliefs, the focus looks to provide a place of gathering, learning, engaging, reflecting, healing and belonging, preserving and appreciating Aotearoa/New Zealand’s cultural expression of the landscape. The research looks upon a regenerating valley system near the heart of Wellington City, reviving the Māori beliefsof ki uta ki tai and that of hīkoi. The research looks at opportunities to better express and understand bi-culturalism</p>

Phenomenology of the Eucharist: A Reflection on Traditioning

<p>This thesis is an enquiry into how relationship differs from identity. It studies the senses of relationship and identity in the history of the Eucharist. The aim of the thesis is to describe how relationship and identity are expressed in the history of the Eucharist, and, by extension, in traditions generally. The thesis reflects on the Hebrew and Greek scriptures, historical celebrations of the Eucharist, Greek and Latin metaphysics, medieval mysticism and phenomenology. In Hebrew Scripture, a sense of infinite loveableness can be discerned in the expression "yahid". First century Christianity applied this particular sense of "yahid" to Jesus and this sense influenced the way the sacraments of initiation were celebrated. Accordingly, the Eucharist emerged through scripture and traditioning as a sign of infinite loveableness. The eucharistic expression of loveableness produces a sense of relationship which alters the Christian disciple's sense of identity. This alteration becomes actualised through expressions of hospitality and relational traditioning. Through reflecting on the dynamics of relationship and identity in the Eucharist a general phenomenology of tradition begins to emerge. This study was motivated by the author‘s belief that a relational theory of traditions and traditioning has not been written. By describing the relational significance of a traditional sign (the Eucharist), a contribution may have been made in two fields: the phenomenology of the Eucharist, and the phenomenology of tradition.</p>

Phenomenology of the Eucharist: A Reflection on Traditioning

<p>This thesis is an enquiry into how relationship differs from identity. It studies the senses of relationship and identity in the history of the Eucharist. The aim of the thesis is to describe how relationship and identity are expressed in the history of the Eucharist, and, by extension, in traditions generally. The thesis reflects on the Hebrew and Greek scriptures, historical celebrations of the Eucharist, Greek and Latin metaphysics, medieval mysticism and phenomenology. In Hebrew Scripture, a sense of infinite loveableness can be discerned in the expression "yahid". First century Christianity applied this particular sense of "yahid" to Jesus and this sense influenced the way the sacraments of initiation were celebrated. Accordingly, the Eucharist emerged through scripture and traditioning as a sign of infinite loveableness. The eucharistic expression of loveableness produces a sense of relationship which alters the Christian disciple's sense of identity. This alteration becomes actualised through expressions of hospitality and relational traditioning. Through reflecting on the dynamics of relationship and identity in the Eucharist a general phenomenology of tradition begins to emerge. This study was motivated by the author‘s belief that a relational theory of traditions and traditioning has not been written. By describing the relational significance of a traditional sign (the Eucharist), a contribution may have been made in two fields: the phenomenology of the Eucharist, and the phenomenology of tradition.</p>

Haumanu Ipukarea reviving tūrangawaewae, identity and place

<p>Landscapes are a fundamental component for the identity of people. This is evident through the eyes of the indigenous Māori people who express, like many indigenous cultures, that identity is formed from ones interconnected relationship to the land. For Māori, land is embodied as a part of their identity formed by the principle of whakapapa and importantly mātauranga. Mātauranga Māori is the comprehensive body of traditional indigenous knowledge built over centuries of both physical and metaphysical paradigms. Much of the knowledge obtained, originated from te taiao, where the importance of mountains, rivers, lakes, forests and place, established one’s sense of tūrangawaewae. Since the first colonial migrations to Aotearoa/New Zealand, much of the traditional knowledge acquired and developed over generation’s are at great risk of western dominance. Western science and knowledge has altered the endemic Aotearoa/New Zealand landscape dramatically depleting many natural ecologies. Forests and waterways continue to be in jeopardy from commercialisation and urbanisation, where the current urban environment questions the way we appreciate and make sense of our endemic natural landscape. Alterations to the land has prompted changes in people’s beliefs and values, and sense of identity. Mātauranga has slowly begun to be reintroduced into the urban environment as a progressive way forward. This research builds upon the concept to promote mātauranga, reconnecting people and place, and improving one’s sense of identity. With more than 88% of Māori now residing in urban areas, and many non-Māori unaware of indigenous cultural values and beliefs, the focus looks to provide a place of gathering, learning, engaging, reflecting, healing and belonging, preserving and appreciating Aotearoa/New Zealand’s cultural expression of the landscape. The research looks upon a regenerating valley system near the heart of Wellington City, reviving the Māori beliefsof ki uta ki tai and that of hīkoi. The research looks at opportunities to better express and understand bi-culturalism</p>

Unorthodox: An ancient tradition - A contemporary context

<p>For decades, New Zealand historians and architects have sought answers to the question: What is New Zealand architecture? New Zealand longs for a place in the architectural world, seeking the significance of our buildings in the wider realm of world architecture. In 2016, in a presentation based on his book Worship: a history of New Zealand church design, Bill McKay suggested that perhaps, “our most interesting architecture lies in the intersections of our cultures”. An opportunity is offered by the current shifts of New Zealand society where the impact of immigration on society is one of the most pressing issues that currently needs addressing. This thesis endeavours to explore the specific relationship between the heritage and culture of the existing Assyrian community and its context of Wellington, with reference to McKay’s suggestion that our most interesting architecture is birthed from the intersection of different cultures. Socially speaking, sense of identity and place attachment play a vital role in the integration of migrant communities into their new home country. Recalling and employing elements of not only tangible Assyrian heritage, but also the intangible qualities found in traditional Assyrian architecture, has the potential to create the connection and enhance the sense of identity which allows for the feeling of belonging in migrants in their host society. This thesis focuses on the space of worship. This project of an Assyrian Orthodox church building in New Zealand might reflect the life of the migrants who occupy it. Is it a replica of the traditional building in its original context, unchanged and uninfluenced by the shift to a new place? Or is it influenced and integrated; a building which can identify with the soil it stands on? Furthermore, if one considers that architecture reflects society, it is hoped that this design led research will participate in the discussion about New Zealand architecture’s unique identity and emerging new societal makeup. This design led research discovers that creating a sense of belonging relies on both keeping aspects of the traditional and gaining influence from its new context. As focus shifts from the design of the building at a large scale to details and objects at a small scale, it becomes more important to reflect and retain the traditional qualities of the architecture. At a large scale, the building may be influenced by its context so as to be integrated into its new place, as if it belongs within its new urban fabric. As we move into the smaller scale in design, we draw closer to the body. It is these elements of the design which an occupant experiences more intimately, and through sensory experience and triggering memories of home, can help to create a feeling of belonging. The main findings of this research express the close relationship between architectural scales of intervention and the effects of individual and collective memory.</p>

Unorthodox: An ancient tradition - A contemporary context

<p>For decades, New Zealand historians and architects have sought answers to the question: What is New Zealand architecture? New Zealand longs for a place in the architectural world, seeking the significance of our buildings in the wider realm of world architecture. In 2016, in a presentation based on his book Worship: a history of New Zealand church design, Bill McKay suggested that perhaps, “our most interesting architecture lies in the intersections of our cultures”. An opportunity is offered by the current shifts of New Zealand society where the impact of immigration on society is one of the most pressing issues that currently needs addressing. This thesis endeavours to explore the specific relationship between the heritage and culture of the existing Assyrian community and its context of Wellington, with reference to McKay’s suggestion that our most interesting architecture is birthed from the intersection of different cultures. Socially speaking, sense of identity and place attachment play a vital role in the integration of migrant communities into their new home country. Recalling and employing elements of not only tangible Assyrian heritage, but also the intangible qualities found in traditional Assyrian architecture, has the potential to create the connection and enhance the sense of identity which allows for the feeling of belonging in migrants in their host society. This thesis focuses on the space of worship. This project of an Assyrian Orthodox church building in New Zealand might reflect the life of the migrants who occupy it. Is it a replica of the traditional building in its original context, unchanged and uninfluenced by the shift to a new place? Or is it influenced and integrated; a building which can identify with the soil it stands on? Furthermore, if one considers that architecture reflects society, it is hoped that this design led research will participate in the discussion about New Zealand architecture’s unique identity and emerging new societal makeup. This design led research discovers that creating a sense of belonging relies on both keeping aspects of the traditional and gaining influence from its new context. As focus shifts from the design of the building at a large scale to details and objects at a small scale, it becomes more important to reflect and retain the traditional qualities of the architecture. At a large scale, the building may be influenced by its context so as to be integrated into its new place, as if it belongs within its new urban fabric. As we move into the smaller scale in design, we draw closer to the body. It is these elements of the design which an occupant experiences more intimately, and through sensory experience and triggering memories of home, can help to create a feeling of belonging. The main findings of this research express the close relationship between architectural scales of intervention and the effects of individual and collective memory.</p>