Meet Kati Angelov | Motion and Projection Design professor & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kati Angelov and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kati, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting something new?
Since I am not a business owner, I will describe here my thought process regarding my curriculum development, which is unique.

I am the chair of the Media Arts Design department at Cypress College. Beyond that I am also an independent projection design artist. I have been a professor at various colleges since my graduation in 2023. Though I maintained my personal art while teaching, when I was hired full-time at Cypress College my life took on a new direction.

I was encouraged to develop new fields of study for the department and I zeroed in on projection mapping. I was drawn to this particular art field because I really appreciate how it unites people through a communal experience, rather than separating them into individuals. In 2017 projection mapping was already blooming in Europe, Asia and South America, it was not really popular in the USA. I had a vision that while in the USA it was not yet catching on, that it will be something that will really captivate this country.

Since then I have developed the first projection mapping class offered in a community college in the USA. I wanted to make this field accessible to all people, because projection mapping was only offered in expensive private schools such as USC and SCAD. My first projection mapping class was in 2019 and now I have projection design professionals who started their career in my class.

In the recent years I also focused my personal art in the area of projection design and projection mapping because I really appreciate and enjoy creating experiences and collaborating with other artists.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My professional work has a duality as I am a practicing artist and an educator.

ART/CREATIVE LIFE:
The decision to be an artist like for so many other people was made when I was little. I never wanted anything else. Until I was about 19 I always envisioned myself as a traditional painter or illustrator. Then I immigrated to the USA and inevitably I had to think about how I will pay my rent or eat food, so I looked at art as a job, rather than a way to express who I am. I hated technology and computers, yet I knew I had to conquer these feelings if I wanted to support myself. I spent many years in different computer labs screwing up and starting over again.

Since those years I learn to combine my love for the analog with technology. I came to accept that technology will always evolve and in a way keeping up with it keeps me motivated and excited. In my current projection design art phase I often use analog content and modify it with digital tools. I love the hand-made touch and constantly thrive to create something that is expressing me in an unusual way. I love soft and beautiful shapes, hoping to evoke visceral feelings with my visuals and I love working on music-based projects.

TEACHING CAREER:
Being an immigrant plays a big part in how I look at the world, and I am inevitably grateful for all the things I lived through in my life. This experience me in my teaching career to understand how to teach technology, and how to break down the big picture into small manageable steps. I can’t think of a more fulfilling job than shaping people’s professional life. I get to open doors and show my students what they could become. Priceless.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of my favorite things around town is to visit various immersive art installations. For example a big favorite of mine is the infinity mirror rooms by Yayoi Kusama in the Broad museum. The Broad in general is a great place to start because it is a great location.

You can’t forget the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. There is nothing more satisfying than looking at gigantic dinosaur bones and marvel at nature.

For an LA restaurant experience I would recommend Posto 896 Italian/Hungarian cuisine

15615 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91436

For an out of town experience Industrial Eats in Buellton is my favorite spot with actual farm to table ingredients.

181 B Industrial Way
Buellton, CA 93427

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shoutout first to Cypress College for supporting me in developing a projection design/mapping program and financing all those fancy projectors.

Secondly I would like to shoutout Eddy V from LAVA (Los Angeles Video Artists) who mentored me through the process of building a new program, pointing me towards the right resources and information.

Lastly to my students who never cease to amaze me with their ability to grow and create inspiring work.

Website: www.katiangelov.com

Instagram: kati.angelov

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katianguelov/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kati.anguelov/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@maddepartment