Restore Hetch Hetchy

"Geography of Hope: Hetch Hetchy" Art Quilt by Linda Gass

Dimensions: 25 x 32 inches

Artist Statement: The debate over Hetch Hetchy valley concerned the very definition of conservation. John Muir described Hetch Hetchy valley as "one of Nature's rarest and most precious mountain temples." The city of San Francisco was in search of cheap, plentiful water and had identified Hetch Hetchy as a site where a relatively small dam could be built. The valley is on federal land, however, and required an act of congress to build a dam. Hetch Hetchy was the first national debate over the use of the wilderness in US History, a struggle that lasted 12 years. The proposal to turn the beautiful valley into a reservoir prompted John Muir to write: "Dam Hetch Hetchy! As well dam for water-tanks the people's cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man." Today, the city of San Francisco continues to hold water rights and profit from hydroelectric power revenues generated from National Parklands, originally set aside for preservation. Should we continue on this path when more sustainable and less destructive alternatives exist?

Materials and Techniques: Cotton background and backing. Hand painted silk charmeuse rivers fused to cotton. Original photographs and text applied with iron-on transfer. Cotton batting, machine quilted with nylon monofilament and cotton thread. Silk dupioni binding.

See detail.

Thank you to Linda Gass for permission to reprint this artwork on our website! View more of her artwork on her website:

Art of Linda Gass

To get involved in the effort to restore Hetch Hetchy, contact Restore Hetch Hetchy at: info@hetchhetchy.org, To get involved in the effort to restore Hetch Hetchy, contact Restore Hetch Hetchy at: info@hetchhetchy.org, 6114 La Salle Ave. #457, Oakland, CA 94611. Telephone: (510) 655-1876.

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