By William Van Zyl (Published 4 January 2024) *Credit cover image: By Lgcharlot – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8514260 What is the biggest miracle you have ever seen? What is the biggest miracle you have ever heard of? I share mine with you. It is mindboggling. Imagine 1 to 2 million people in a… Continue reading The Sliding-Walking Rock.
Category: Articles.
Articles – all genres.
Mirror Opens Ancient Temple Door.
By William Van Zyl – Published in December 2023. A tiny beam of light – entering from a slit in the roof of the cave – shines like a long shaft of enlightenment onto the rugged cave floor. Thousands specks of dust – hundreds of years asleep – are disturbed. They wake up. The ancient… Continue reading Mirror Opens Ancient Temple Door.
The Stitcher from Republic Shoe Repairs
By William Van Zyl (published 3 December 2023) In the electric atmosphere of the boxing ring, a dance unfolded, a symphony of jabs and blocks echoing through the tense silence. Bill and Mike tested each other’s mettle, a ballet of aggression and defence—the “Anvil” versus the “Assassin.” A moment of brilliance sparked when Bill’s feint… Continue reading The Stitcher from Republic Shoe Repairs
AI-inspired Māori Food.
By William Van Zyl (published in November 2023) Introduction: This resource includes an overview of Māori food in New Zealand over the past 700 years. I include the influence of Britain, other cultures, and Christianity on Māori food and dishes. Also included are several AI-inspired dishes (Midjourney/Discord). Additional focus on aesthetics – crockery & garnishing… Continue reading AI-inspired Māori Food.
AI-Inspired Māori Fashion.
By William Van Zyl (Published in November 2023) In this article, I provide a rich resource for artists, designers, teachers and design students. I include a short clothing and fashion design overview over the past 700 years of Māori in New Zealand. I start with traditional clothing and then progress to AI-inspired clothing—a modern and… Continue reading AI-Inspired Māori Fashion.
Forever Buck Knife.
By William Van Zyl (Published 27 November 2023) You will be surprised to read what is written on the little pamphlet in the box of a new Buck Pocket Knife. There is something very unique about it. I will also show you a picture of my hunter’s knife from 40 years ago and my stunning… Continue reading Forever Buck Knife.
Māori-inspired AI Furniture and AI Tool Design (New Zealand). Including an Overview of Traditional Māori Furniture and Māori Tools.
By William Van Zyl (Published in November 2023). Synopsis: This eBook or article aims to give a short overview of traditional Māori Furniture and tools. Garden tools – the hoe or paddle – are one of the focuses—Māori-inspired shapes, forms and patterns for hardwood chairs and side tables. I also include ideas for a mild… Continue reading Māori-inspired AI Furniture and AI Tool Design (New Zealand). Including an Overview of Traditional Māori Furniture and Māori Tools.
Deep calls unto Deep.
By William Van Zyl (Published in Nov 2023). Deafened by the noise of the waterfall, looking down to the next waterfall, and up to one he just fell from, Roland sighs. “Uuuggghhh! No, not another waterfall to plunge into.” He is thoroughly soaked in cold, pristine water. Tiny streams of water trickle slowly from his… Continue reading Deep calls unto Deep.
Vegvisir – Viking Compass and Kristi Kors: A Tale of Rescue.
By William Van Zyl (Published in October 2023). Have you ever been in a life-or-death situation? Have you ever been at a crossroad in your life? Are despondency and mental health issues plaguing you? Are you sick, have you received a devastating health report? Do you have to make a sacrifice? The Vikings had a… Continue reading Vegvisir – Viking Compass and Kristi Kors: A Tale of Rescue.
Navigating Stormy Seas: The Runic Compass (Vegvisir) as a Guiding Light.
By William Van Zyl (Published in October 2023) ‘Call me Agnarok’. Let me tell you about that fateful day in the Winter of 1016. A primal tempest, a symphony of chaos, bellowed its fury upon the Viking longship, an ageing behemoth defiantly marked by the snarling dragon carved upon its bow. In their unrestrained wrath,… Continue reading Navigating Stormy Seas: The Runic Compass (Vegvisir) as a Guiding Light.
The Art of Zines: A Creative Exploration.
By William Van Zyl Published on 5 October 2023. Short intro video: Creating a small blank zine booklet in under 30 seconds – from one size A4 page (magaZINE). Link the video: https://youtu.be/ab4O9SWNl9g?feature=shared Introduction In the vibrant world of artistic expression, zines emerge as unique and personal avenues for self-publishing. Originating from the punk subculture… Continue reading The Art of Zines: A Creative Exploration.
Influential Theorists for Action Research in Education.
By William Van Zyl (Published in September 2023). In this article I list, and summarise, the most influential theorists for Action Research in Education. I focus on researching in a High School context to provide a backdrop. I also include a research title as a specific focus to explain Action Research in simple terms. Title (STEM… Continue reading Influential Theorists for Action Research in Education.
What is That?
By William Van Zyl (published 10 September 2023). “Where did he get those glasses?” asked the man. “You don’t comment on Sir JK’s glasses,” said the New Zealand TV presenter (Rugby World Cup 2023 context). “From the welding shop,” responded the second man. The presenter immediately defended Sir JK. “Excuse me, those are very exquisite… Continue reading What is That?
Goliath’s Sword.
By William Van Zyl (published on 4 September 2023). Goliath fell to the ground like a heavy rock. The muffled cracking sound of his calvaria shocked everyone. The air was hot and dusty. The ominous sky – filled with jeering and shouting – kept the birds of prey at a distance. Blood slowly appeared between… Continue reading Goliath’s Sword.
How to Become Hugely Successful.
By William Van Zyl (Published on 3 September 2023) Becoming successful is a complex and often individualised journey; there is no one-size-fits-all formula for achieving it. You will need people, you will need well-developed skills, an opportunity, you will have to make some bold decisions, you will have to consider taking some risks, good timing,… Continue reading How to Become Hugely Successful.
Antonio Gaudi – ‘God’s Architect’ – transforms paradigms.
By William Van Zyl (Published on 4 September 2023). Nonetheless, it wasn’t until architect Fred Van Brandenburg’s return to Spain to New Zealand in 2004, and his exploration of Park Güell in Barcelona—a masterpiece created by Gaudí during his naturalist phase, drawing inspiration from organic forms in nature—that Fred experienced a revelation profoundly shaped by… Continue reading Antonio Gaudi – ‘God’s Architect’ – transforms paradigms.
Contemporary Māori-inspired Architecture in New Zealand.
By William Van Zyl (Published 2 September 2023). Modern Māori architecture in New Zealand blends traditional Māori design principles, cultural values, and contemporary architectural approaches. The new New Zealand curriculum for Design and Visual Communication (NCEA – DVC Level 1) focuses on Māori architecture in a Mātauranga Māori context. This article provides a brief overview… Continue reading Contemporary Māori-inspired Architecture in New Zealand.
Māori Worldview and Architectural Design.
By William Van Zyl (Published 30 August 2023) *Credit cover image: Toa Architects (NZ). Taumata o Kupe What type of unique building, house, landmark, chapel, church, marae, or shade space would you design to reflect and represent your worldview? I am referring to symbolism-related shapes, forms, patterns, and colours. What would be the main shapes… Continue reading Māori Worldview and Architectural Design.
Māori Architecture and Modernism in Architecture: A Design Challenge.
By William Van Zyl (Published 26 August 2023) I start this short eBook/article with modern Māori-inspired New Zealand (NZ) buildings. It showcases the innovative embedment of traditional Māori shapes, forms, patterns and colours in contemporary design in NZ. I then move on to explore modernism and Māori architecture. See the link to the Contemporary Māori-folklore… Continue reading Māori Architecture and Modernism in Architecture: A Design Challenge.
Architectural Design: Māori, Christian, and Modernist Influences – A New Zealand Perspective.
By William Van Zyl (Published 24 August 2023). Has your world been turned upside-down at some point? Look at the innovative and creative ideas in this article. What do you see? What ideas do you have? What would it be if I asked you to develop a unique idea or concept for a spatial design?… Continue reading Architectural Design: Māori, Christian, and Modernist Influences – A New Zealand Perspective.