10 Questions with Annet Katan
Al-Tiba9 Art Magazine ISSUE11 | Featured Artist
Ukrainian-born Annet Katan moved to the San Francisco bay area in 2012. She is currently studying at the Academy of Art University, MA in Fashion Art Direction program. She has always had a passion for fashion in her heart, and she is deeply dedicated to doing what she loves. Even though her experience comes from right after graduating high school in the last ten years, Annet volunteered as a graphic designer and photographer at Marin County Civic Center, got an internship, and worked as a freelance photographer and graphic designer on many different assignments. Annet believes that there is always room for improvement and growth. She is pursuing her dreams and looking forward to learning to explore and inspire others on their journeys.
Annet Katan - Portrait
Abstract Colorscapes | Project Description
One of my favorite things is to explore colors and shapes. So in this work, I was picturing abstract landscapes I was able to see during past vacations back in my home country, Ukraine, and Europe before 2012. In addition, I wanted to achieve through this project how hills look during different seasons using a simple and lowest amount of materials, turning my vision into minimal abstract colorscapes.
This photo/art series has sentimental meaning to me as well. Like anyone else, my heart was demanding adventures. However, during the pandemic, everything was uncertain, and finding a creative outlet through shapes and colors was the main inspiration for this project. Also, it was one of the first projects I shot using a medium format phase one camera system, which made it possible to deliver the best quality of colors and details. I used colored art foam boards and soft foam balls to style this work.
Abstract Colorscapes were made with the warmest and bright thoughts, smiles, endless positivity, and hope for more bright days. I hope this translates and speaks to the audience and makes someone’s day more colorful.
Summer Landscape, Digital Photography, 2021 © Annet Katan
INTERVIEW
How would you describe Annet Katan in three words?
Ambitious, authentic, fun.
You have a background in fashion and design; how did you get interested in photography?
My interest in photography goes way back to when I was a little. Ironically, my father was a photographer. I loved to see how one moment can be frozen in time on a piece of film and paper. Unfortunately, growing up in a post-soviet union country was not easy. Everything was expensive, and my family always had financial struggles, so that's why I wasn't even allowed to touch or look at my father's camera equipment. It made me think that all photographers are superhumans and that females can't be a photographer. When the first phones with cameras appeared on the market (and I am not talking about smartphones), I was happy to have one, and I took shots of what seemed interesting. The camera's limits of that time did not stop me, and I got a chance to experiment more when my future husband, by that time boyfriend Oleg, bought a Canon Powershot A520 4MP camera for my birthday because he thought my work looked good. So now, after all these years, holding the camera in my hands brings so much excitement and special meaning, and I love combining all backgrounds (fashion, graphic design, and photography) in my work because this is how I express myself - through colors, shapes, textures, and different elements without putting labels and limits.
In 2012 you moved to the Bay Area from Ukraine. How has this move influenced your work?
This transition allowed me to step away from what I thought I knew and who I thought I was. Dive deep into the unknown and go through a rough 10 years journey of hard work, making mistakes, and learning and as a reward, reconnect with my roots and who I am, enchase past and bring new work to another level.
Harvest Fields, Digital Photography, 2021 © Annet Katan
Your series Abstract Colorscapes draws inspiration from European landscapes. How close are you to your European roots?
I am a Ukrainian born and raised, and I love to travel so much. Before I moved to California, vacationing through Europe was and still is one of my favorite things: Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland... Seeing how landscapes change during different seasons is breathtaking and so inspiring. My mom, Elena Delignieres (also born and raised Ukrainian), and her husband, Patrick Delignieres, live in a small charming commune, Biran, Midi-Pyrenees, France. So now, it seems that my European roots are closer than ever, and I love to visit them whenever I have a chance.
The series uses geometric shapes and bold colors to portray abstract landscapes, often linked to specific seasons and scenarios. How did you come up with this idea?
It was pure inspiration and a thirst for adventure. As I mentioned, I love to travel, and European landscapes hold a special place in my heart. For this project, the challenge was to use only two elements in different colors and to draw the hills showing different seasons. As I was aiming for something simply minimalistic but imaginative, I began working with frames, looking for the best possible way to make it work. I always shop for different props for future projects. I often do not know what I will do, but after some time, I love to take some colorful items and play with them around.
How did you choose the colors to use? Do they represent something in particular for you and inside the project?
I selected the tetradic color scheme and worked with Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow colors. Each color represents a season and how hills change during each season.
Rolling Spring Hills, Digital Photography, 2021 © Annet Katan
Autumn Harvest Hill, Digital Photography, 2021 © Annet Katan
The project looks highly curated, especially in its aesthetics. How much work did you have to put into developing the project? And what was your creative process like?
Sometimes it takes inspiration to photograph the project and endless hours of postproduction. For these colorscapes, I spent the whole day shooting. Then it just has to sit with me for a while. I go over shots, and if nothing speaks to me immediately, I return to image review when I am ready. When I choose the hero shots, I begin postproduction, which in this case means removing all imperfections that weren't up to me to fix in the first place (like scratches and invisible lint) and making sure that everything looks the way I see it. But I always put 200% of hard work into everything, which is exhausting. Haha!
Abstract Colorscapes came as a sort of reaction to the Covid lockdowns. How has the global pandemic impacted your work? Do you develop other projects during the past two years?
I was looking for more positivity during that time, and working on different projects was a good moment to explore and experiment. One of my favorite things was to work and cut sunflower petals. Looking back now, I developed so many projects - a few are "The Hope" and "The New Hope" series, a reflection of the beginning of the pandemic and the unknown and having a new hope - vaccines.
Winter Solstice, Digital Photography, 2021 © Annet Katan
Last Snow, Digital Photography, 2021 © Annet Katan
What do you miss about the art world pre-pandemic? Tell us about something you discovered over this time that you now greatly appreciate.
Everything! But there is one thing for sure - you never appreciate something until it's gone. So, I enjoy all the little things and do not take them for granted. Now when we finally can do more and go out, I take all opportunities to go and see/meet/learn about the work of other artists.
And lastly, tell us about your future plans. What are you working on, and what are your plans for the rest of the year?
I have one more semester to go in the fall before graduation. So there will be a lot of homework and school projects. Before the semester starts, I am finalizing my task list for the summer and trying to get some rest. I always plan a few projects ahead and keep working on different tasks. I have many projects planned, but I usually prefer not to share too many details until work is done.
