Telling Tales

Tell your story: StoryCorps' oral history project is returning to Austin

StoryCorps is looking for volunteers to tell their personal stories.

Photo courtesy of KUT 90.5

StoryCorps, the oral history project that travels around the country cataloging Americans' true stories, is returning to Austin in January.

Launched in 2003, the nonprofit is dedicated to recording and preserving the legacies of ordinary people and then housing these stories at the Library of Congress for future generations. The results are sometimes sweet, sometimes heartbreaking — and almost always poignant.

StoryCorps' MobileBooth, a customized Airstream trailer outfitted with a recording studio, will be parked in front of the Bob Bullock Museum from January 5-31 to conduct interviews with everyday Austinites. The personal vignettes are told over 40-minute interviews between two people who know each other, as a trained StoryCorps guide facilitates the conversation.

Following the interviews, participants receive a copy of the conversation and another copy is archived in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. KUT, who is hosting StoryCorps during its visit, will air condensed versions of some of the stories on KUT 90.5, Austin's NPR station, and a few may even air nationally on NPR's "Morning Edition."

“StoryCorps tells the true American story — that we are a people defined by small acts of courage, kindness and heroism. Each interview reminds people that their lives matter and will not be forgotten,” said StoryCorps founder and MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient Dave Isay.

Those interested in participating in StoryCorps can make reservations beginning on December 22 at 10 am by calling StoryCorps’ 24-hour reservation line at 1-800-850-4406 or visiting storycorps.org. Additional appointments will be made available on January 7.

StoryCorps is looking for volunteers to tell their personal stories.

Photo courtesy of KUT 90.5

StoryCorps is looking for volunteers to tell their personal stories.

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SKIN IN THE GAME

Renowned Hill Country tattoo artist inks new sacred geometry app

Photo courtesy of Dillon Forte

Dillion Forte at his "tattoo ranch" in the Texas Hill Country.

In the world of tattooing, there may seem to be few better rat traps left to build, but Dillon Forte aims to change that. In October, the renowned Wimberley-based tattoo artist and entrepreneur introduced a new iPadOS app to bring ancient symbology into the digital age.

Forte has made a worldwide name for his black dot work (a contemporary take on stick-and-poke techniques) and ambitious undertakings like tattooing underwater and opening a “tattoo ranch.” His ink appears on Usher, Chris Hemsworth, and Kehlani.

Still, he is most recognized for his sacred geometry designs, using patterns to convey various meanings. His interest led him to create the Sacred Geometry Drawing App, a convenient way for novices and experts to develop and export their creations.

The app grew out of his own practice. Over the past decade, he has used tablets and freehand techniques to achieve his highly symmetrical artwork but grew to realize existing tools were not always easy to use.

“The app is an attempt and fulfillment of my desire to make sacred geometry accessible and bring the ability to create into the fingertips of as many people as possible,” Forte tells CultureMap via email, adding a tagline: “symmetry made simply.”

He says he wished the app was available when developing his signature style as a tattoo artist, but it was designed with a broad range of users in mind. He hopes that designers, educators, and artists will find a use for it.

A short intro to the app's capabilities is available on YouTube. It looks like a standard drawing app, starting with a blank canvas and some tools like pens, pencils, colors, and of course, straight line and dot makers.

A "symmetry index" anchors the functionality and expands it to something between 2D art and 3D modeling. In addition to generating shapes like repeating patterns and spirals, the app also creates 3D shapes with grids, so that the artist can map their design in real space or even create sculptures. There is also an index for explaining the spiritual meaning of some standard designs.

“Geometry often prompts an intimidating feeling when it comes to making art,” Forte continues. “The fundamentally complex and often academic nature of math-based art can induce a sense of fear in the potential user instead of creating a sense of awe. The purpose of the sacred geometry app is to cultivate the latter."

Creatives interested in constructing their own geometric masterpieces can download the app at the App Store for free, and in-app purchases are available.

technology apps tattoos arts