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• 1 media/269.jpg media/269.jpg 2021-11-23T22:15:13+00:00 Thistle on Lake Nicasio by Gary Vann 13 image_header 2021-12-09T23:54:14+00:00 Gary Vann is a landscape photographer based in the Sierra foothills. Specializing in black and white photography, Vann was introduced to the medium through an interest in mountain climbing. Adopting a style featuring simple graphics and strong details, Vann presents the natural subjects of his photographs in ways that suggest the interactions of humans upon the environment. The rich, yet muted black and white tones of Thistle on Lake Nicasio captures both the surface beauty of the Nicasio Reservoir, and its deeper history laced with ominous controversy.

  Nonetheless, the realism of these images is not directed toward social correction, but toward social awareness, with an appreciation of where we are in our well insulated lives... The human element at night resides as a shadow, within the shadows of the city. We are often provoked by questions, rather than comforted by answers. In profound silence the city is presented like a stage set, appropriately recorded in black and white.” - Gary Vann

  
  History of the Nicasio Reservoir in Marin County

  Beneath the placid waters of the Nicasio Reservoir in Marin County, California, lie the remnants of a struggle between rapid suburban growth and historic land. Following the end of World War II, expansion swept across the United States, causing new land developments to emerge in California. It seemed like every county had its share of advancements, but many of these developments were created at the cost of agricultural land in places like Marin County. In the 1950s, the Nicasio Valley was transformed into a new reservoir and dam, built to provide water for the rapidly emerging and wealthy suburban Marin communities. Despite the local residents' resistance, the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) told families they had two years to move off their land. They were forced to sell their homes - often at very low cost -  and relocate their agricultural businesses to make space for the reservoir.

  “It’s hard enough for a person to give up his property, even for good cause, without having it rubbed in by lack of a little diplomacy.” - George Sherman of Baywood Press

  Many of these historic properties were bulldozed or burned.  With the flooding of this farmland, over 500 years of combined family work and local history was obliterated. Now, the once promising renovation has little use, as the reservoir is too shallow to provide clean water without costly filtration. This, coupled with drought and dropping water levels, are forcing wildlife to search for water outside of their natural habitats. As the reservoir dries, the injustice it brought can be seen through the emergence of old roads and bridges - tangible evidence of the loss that was dealt as a result of its creation. Read more about this history here. 

  What really got me was when they dozed the house. I just couldn’t go watch them do that, and the same when they set fire to everything. You could see the reflection from a distance. I felt badly for the Gallaghers and the Tognaldas because they had been here for years. I was just starting a life out here, and it was disappointing and sad, but the thoughts of all the history that was there, it was just very, very sad. - Mrs. Tomasini