Tora Bora Black Dust: An Opera in Three Acts, 2011

Tora Bora is an opera in a box inspired by the caves of the same name in Afghanistan. The CIA funded the expansion of the caves there to support the Mujahideen fight against the Soviets. The Taliban used them, and it was from there that Osama Bin Laden escaped capture by the US in 2002. Despite years of US presence in the country poppy production and Taliban activity continued in this rugged mountain area twenty miles from the Pakistan border.

A foldout opera stage with screen-printed covers and six scenes printed from copper engravings. The engraved scenes can be switched as background for seven screen printed puppets that slide on tracks on the stage. A letterpress printed booklet contains the storyline and libretto.

Artwork by Art Hazelwood, Design & Staging by Klaus-Ullrich Rötzscher, Storyline & Lyrics by Art Hazelwood.

Artist Video – Tora Bora Opera Act 1

Artist Video – Tora Bora Opera Act 2

Artist Video – Tora Bora Opera Act 3

Screenprint, engraving, letterpress and DVD

12.125 x 13.125 x 1.25 inches Closed

12.125 x 24 x 10 inches Open

Edition 20