[TheStoriesOfTop7] Congo - Josh Sim / Malaysia - IAPLC 2017

This work is based on a good understanding of the essence of Nature Aquarium. Although only green plants are used in this layout, the diversity of plant species in natural ecosystem is produced by arranging a variety of plants that develop different shape of leaves and grow differently in the right places. This plant arrangement is worthy of mention. The superb overall quality of this layout was highly evaluated.

Mr. Josh Sim's "Congo" (Malaysia) won this year's Grand Prix. The contest has been receiving so many high quality entries in recent years, and it has been very difficult to have the points difference between the top-winning works evaluated with only six criteria. In order to win Grand Prix, obtaining 10 extra points of Best Aquarium from judges became necessary for contestants in the last few contests. This year, however, Mr. Sim's "Congo" grabbed the top prize without being selected to Best Aquarium by any judges. And this clearly tells us that his layout was created with perfection and equally apprised by judges beyond their per- sonal preferences. Among the judges, especially Mr. Frantisek Kolin (Czech Republic), Mr. David Boruchowitz (U.S.A.) and Mr. Armando Miguel Alves (Brazil) praised the work very highly. This layout doesn't represent surprising or unexpected outcomes, but Mr. Sim rather focused on crafting even the smallest details with a clear picture of fish habitat in mind. Mr. Sim, a regular IAPLC contestant whose highest ranking previously was 4th, has been known for his abilities as an aquascaper. This year's win is certainly gratifying for him. Though the style of the winning work is nothing new - following in the footsteps of numerous layout works in the previous contests, it's highly regarded that he faith- fully created what truly satisfies his creativity instead of something visually striking. But still, we would venture to say that even a small element which helps bring forth originality could have seen in the prize-winning work. It is also noteworthy about this year's contest results that the list of the top winners is dominated by worldly acclaimed aquascapers, including Mr. Sim. Although the overall quality of entries has definitely improved, there is a sense of stagnation in regard to layout expression. Thus, new creativity and even higher levels of sophistication of layout expression are expected from aquascapers in future contests

IAPLC 2017 Gallery - Look back history - World Ranking 0001 - Grand Prize

Congo

Author: Josh Sim / Malaysia

Aquarium Size/W150×D60×H50(cm)

Aquatic Plants

Anubias barteri var, nana

Bolbitis heudelotii

Bucephalandra sp.

Cryptocoryne parva

Eleocharis sp.

Hygrophila angustifolia

Hygrophila pinnatifida

Hydrophila balsamica rafinesqiue

Hydrocotyle vulgaris

Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae

Marsilea hirsuta

Vesicularia dubyana

Vesicularia ferriel

Fish & Invertebrates

Phenacogrammus interruptus (Juvenile)

Dermogenys pusillus

Otocinclus affinis

Caridina multidentata

Caridina sp. malayan

AWARDS

World Ranking 0001 Grand Prize IAPLC 2017

Comments

The story behind this layout is slightly different from my past layouts. I decided the title "Congo" even before I had started the tank set-up - this has never happened before, as the titles of my past layouts were normally created seconds before I had submit- ted them to the contest. But this year, I follow the concept "Congo" right from the start and it was clear from the beginning what I wanted to create. It is about an underwater version of Congo forest - a dark and mysterious place where is kind of dan- gerous but also booming with energetic vibes of wild lives. My past layouts were never created with any specific type of fish in mind, the selection of fish was normally made few weeks before the final photo was taken. But in my layout "Congo" this year, it was very clear since the planning stage that Congo Tetra will be my fish! My sense of purpose in this layout was very strong, it was like following a well written script and my direction was clear. This is a layout with story, not a story created for this layout.