[TheStoriesOfTop7] Eden - Siak Wee Yeo / Malaysia - IAPLC 2020

In terms of composition techniques, its spatial layout is cleverly done, and the narrow, diagonally arranged open space in the center contributes to a sense of depth, along with the simple "path of cosmetic sand" that leads deep into the aquascape. Moreover, although this type of composition tends to give a very dark and heavy impression, the brightly lit water surface, on which aquatic plants are reflected, avoids this problem in a tasteful manner. When it comes to planting, the first things that catches the eye are the dramatically arranged Micranthemum sp. and Hemianthus callitrichoides 'Cuba' planted in the foreground, but the use of both green and red stem plants, and the relatives of Anubias is also exquisite. The variety of aquatic plants appropriately planted in the ecological sense is highly evaluated.

The IAPLC 20th Anniversary world ranking No. 1 (Grand Prix) is "Eden" by Mr. Yeo Siak Wee from Malaysia. As 3 judges chose this work as their Best Aquarium, it has the strength to attract people who see the work. The work stood out from the rest as you can see from the total points. Please see the evaluation comments from the three judges as follows.

IAPLC 2020 Gallery - Look back history - World Ranking 0001 - Grand Prize

Eden

Author: Yeo Siak Wee / Malaysia

Aquarium Size/W120×D60×H50 (cm)

Aquatic Plants

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite'

Anubias minima

Fissidens fontanus

Riccardia chamedryfolia

Vesicularia montagnei 'Christmas Moss'

Micranthemum sp. 'Monte Carlo'

Hemianthus callitrichoides 'Cuba'

Rotala wallichii

Rotala sp. Hra

Limnophila sp. 'Vietnam'

Eleocharis acicularis

Eleocharis acicularis 'Mini'

Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Mini'

Fish & Invertebrates

Trigonostigma heteromorpha

Crossocheilus oblongus

Otocinclus sp.

Caridina multidentata

Caridina cf. babaulti var. 'Malaya'

AWARDS

World Ranking 0001 Grand Prize IAPLC 2020

Comments

This is a special year for the result announcement due to covid-19 pandemic. Previously we received the notification letter before the announcement of world rankings. This year, the result was announced through live streaming of ADA YouTube channel. On the announcement day, I prepared myself ready in front of TV and my laptops was connected with friends in our private video conference. I still remember my heart beep was getting faster and faster when the top ranking was announced accordingly. The feeling was getting complicated before top 7 announcement. At that point of time, I hoped I could be in 1 of the top 7 prize winners but my second feels, I hoped I could get even better ranking than ranked 7. It was a hard time for me to pass through every moment started from Top 7 result announcement until Gold prize was announced and pending for the Grand Prize announcement. All my friends from video conference told me the moment of my face was very funny and almost cramped. Finally, it was announced that I received the Grand Prize, I felt almost empty for few minutes and started to receive the wish and congratulation from friends through video conference, text message and call. My family members were jumping around for my result and my daughter shed tears down after she heard the result through live streaming. Because, she accompanied me time to time during my setup period and she understands how many hour and minute I spent to complete this work. I am finally fulfilled my dream which I have hoping it for 13 year since 2008 my first participation in IAPLC. I hope to share my happiness to all the participator around the world and appreciate this wonderful contest where accompanies us year by year

Comment of Mr. Sergei M. Kochetov (Russia)

As always, the choice of the best aquarium for the Grand Prix 2020 took place in two stages. However, this time, due to the large number of excellent works, I pre-selected a group of about 40 best among the 127 works, at first glance for further assessment. My attention was immediately drawn to the beautiful aquarium under the name of Eden. In itself, the picture immediately reminded me of a fragment of the picturesque canyon of the Psychako river that flows into the Black sea in the Caucasus. This perception was facilitated by plants hanging down from both the right and left sides of an asymmetrically created underwater scene inside a relatively wide aquarium 120cm long. The play of color, light and shadow, as well as the complete harmony of the aquarium biotope in the upper, middle and lower parts created a remarkable spatial impression of depth even the reflection in the side glasses of the aquarium played a positive role. Everything looked perfect. Fish shoal, which I love since my early childhood, beautifully complemented this underwater landscape, enhanced the overall calming impression of the nature of wildlife, and gave it the necessary dynamism. The whole picture seems neat and well-groomed. Plants are chosen correctly and enhance the impression of soft naturalness and breadth of space in the tank. As with the entire anniversary com- petition IAPLC 2020, everything here went the way of improving the details of the technique of creating compositions.

Comment of Mr. David Boruchowitz (U.S.A.) 

This layout does everything right, down to the minute level. Immediately recognizable is the placement of two foci in the Golden Ratio, but the overhang of the larger piece of wood over the smaller one unites the two parts, which often simply stand as two individual pieces. The gap between the overhang and the "root" of the other piece keeps them separate but affirms a continuity between them. The well-established use of small plants attached to various structures is enhanced by the combination of trailing plants with more upright ones. This hanging garden effect echoes the pieces of wood hanging from the massive chunks, tying together the living growth with the static structures. Instead of just moss tied to wood and stones, fuzzy plantings are combined with leaves of several other shapes and sizes as well, bringing an interesting freshness to a tried-and-true technique. The practice of using perspective to create an increased sense of depth is exceptionally well developed here, and the extreme shortness of the background plantings pulls the eye far into the depths of the layout. The judicious placement of just a few red sprigs makes sure they are not overlooked despite their small size. The use of a central "stream" ties the back and middle grounds into the foreground, but unlike many layouts which emphasize this feature and make it a major component, here we find a diminutive version that does not capture the eye at first glance but that is enough to confirm that the two large structures are indeed independent, just far enough apart to let this little trickle through. The beautiful school of Trigonostigma heteromorpha adds to the sense of color, space, and movement. (Although not part of the layout, nor of my ranking, an interesting footnote thanks to the fortutous position of the fish when the photo was snapped comes from the one outlier on the farthest right, who is headed in the opposite direction, reprising the underlying theme that novel touches can enhance the most venerable of traditions.)

Comment of Mr. Frantisek Kolin (Czech Republic)

In the evaluation for the IAPLC 2020, I decided to give my Best Aquarium to "Eden". In my opinion, this work best corresponds to the ideas of what Nature Aquarium should express - images from nature in aquariums. The creator has made this work in such a way that the fish have plenty of space to swim in the aquarium, many places to hide and other conditions that make them feel comfortable in the environ- ment. The design and realization of the overall picture is well done. Technically, the elements of this work have been mastered very well, so that the overall picture recreates a real nature. The originality is guaranteed, and the creator also deserves recognition for his idea. The natural spectacle is immediately visible, and viewers immediately feel as if they are in the middle of nature. The planting is well-chosen and made so that the size of the aquatic plants does not disturb the overall picture. Overall good job!