'Sweet Land's' striking visuals hand opera a refreshing twist

Jay L. Clendenin, Dania Maxwell
·2 min read
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Sharon Chohi Kim, company member of the Industry, as the character Wiindigo in the opera "Sweet Land," set to close in mid-March. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Kelci Hahn as character Makwa in the opera "Sweet Land." (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
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With downtown Los Angeles in the distance, temporary tunnel structures designed by Tanya Orellana lead audiences along their diverging paths at Los Angeles State Historic Park in the opera "Sweet Land," from the Industry. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
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Kelci Hahn, as Makwa, stands over Scott Belluz (Jimmy Gin) in the Feast scene of the opera "Sweet Land" by Los Angeles-based, experimental opera company the Industry. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
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Sharon Chohi Kim, company member of the Industry, is Wiindigo in the opera "Sweet Land." (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
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A performer appears from behind the kinetic walls around the audience in a train scene, with lighting design by Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew and scenic design by Carlo Maghirang in the opera, "Sweet Land." (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
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Projections designed by Hana S. Kim, from the first scene in the black box theater in the opera "Sweet Land." (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
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Lindsay Patterson Abdou as Bow in the opera "Sweet Land." (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
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The final scene of the opera "Sweet Land," with scenic design by Carlo Maghirang and projection design by Hana S. Kim. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
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Kelci Hahn as Makwa in the Feast scene of the opera "Sweet Land." (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
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Scott Belluz as Jimmy Gin in the opera "Sweet Land." (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
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Temporary tunnel structures, designed by Tanya Orellana, lead audiences along their diverging paths in the opera "Sweet Land" by the Industry. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
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Maria Elena Altany in the opera "Sweet Land." (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
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Cannupa Hanska Luger, who designed and co-directed the opera "Sweet Land," recording at the Knobworld Recording Studio in L.A. on March 3. (Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times)
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The Industry's Yuval Sharon, who co-directed the opera "Sweet Land," recording at the Knobworld Recording Studio on March 3. (Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times)
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"Sweet Land" composer Du Yun records at the Knobworld Recording Studio. (Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times)
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"Sweet Land" composer Raven Chacon at the Knobworld Recording Studio. (Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times)