[TheStoriesOfTop7] Pure - Josh Sim / Malaysia - IAPLC 2020

13 May 2024

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The first Silver prize is awarded to a mysterious aquascape, mainly using shade-loving plants such as ferns and moss. The dynamic arrangement of large driftwood, which is the framework of the aquascape, looks matched to Pterophyllum altum while creating a powerful impression and an underwater feeling. In addition, Eleocharis acicularis and the relatives of Nymphaea in the background add perspective to the aquascape. However, the black background may give a deep and dark impression to viewers, although it matches the mysterious atmosphere of this aquascape. In that respect, this work received mixed reviews.

[TheStoriesOfTop7] Pure - Josh Sim / Malaysia - IAPLC 2020

This masterpiece is exactly what Nature Aquarium represents. Perhaps the black background was purposely used for the photoshoot to create an atomosphere at the time when the Nature Aquarium was born. It was the creator's exquisite performance. The judges definitely received his message. And an evaluation comment by Mr. Yamaguchi who chose this work as his Best Aquarium accurately captures the right interpretation. There is not only a superficial expression but spirituality in this work. Unlike other works, there is a profound feeling in this masterpiece.

IAPLC 2020 Gallery - Look back history - World Ranking 0003 - Silver Prize

Pure

Author: Josh Sim / Malaysia

Aquarium Size/W150×D60×H60 (cm)

Aquatic Plants

Bolbitis heudelotii

Cryptocoryne sp. parva

Fissidens fontanus

Eleocharis acicularis

Eleochalis sp.

Helanthium tenellum

Hemianthus callitrichoides 'Cuba'

Nymphaea micrantha

Nymphaea stellata

Nymphaea rubra

Nymphaea lotus 'Green'

Vesicularia dubyana

Fish & Invertebrates

Pterophyllum altum

Crossocheilus oblongus

Otocinclus affinis

Caridina multidentata

AWARDS

World Ranking 0003 Silver Prize IAPLC 2020

Comments

It was an unbelievably exciting and extremely cruel way of announcing the IAPLC 2020 result. The main concern that all participants had in mind was: we were not even sure if our names will be in the top127 announcement list. So, at the beginning of the announcement, we were very worried that our names will be called out too early, but toward the end of the announcement, we were even more worried that our names will not be called out at all. This mixed feeling happened to me on the night of the announcement. A few of us from different countries (Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia and Thailand) were watching it together using video conferencing tool. So when the announcement started from 127, I was quite worried that I would hear my name very soon. When the announcement reached Top 27 and my name has not being called out yet, I felt relief as there is hope that I am in the top 27. However, when my name was still not being announced when it reached Top 7, my heart started to beat very fast and I told my family members around me, I may not be in the top127 list at all. Every name that was being announced from Top 7 onward seems to take forever and the waiting period is just killing me. Finally when I heard my name and saw my tank photo at Ranking Number 3, I raised both my hands and sighed with a huge relieve. My friends in the video conference were shouting and applauding, my kids around me were also shouting and jumping up and down, it was such a beautiful moment. Waiting for the result letter/EMS was very torturing every year but this year, the torture has just gone 1 level up! An unforgettable night. .but I hope next year we will go back to the letter announcement.

Comment of Mr. Shogo Yamaguchi (Japan)

I wondered where the dignified appearance that this work possesses came from. The shiny body of the fish, the way light shines through the water, the ripples on the water surface and thriving aquatic plants. I suppose there are several elements, but I can't seem to find a right answer even if I mix them all together. The title says "Pure". When I saw the title, the view of the world in Mr. Takashi Amano's photo book "Nature Aquarium World" instantly came to my mind. This work brings back excitement I got when I saw the photo book for the first time when I was in my twenties. I have a feeling that this creator was trying to express the core part of Nature Aquarium. In that case, I guess there is no need to talk about the elements to explain about the work because the theme for this work is spirituality, and each element exists to express the theme. I think that if there is ever a time when I look back on the contest in the future, this work would become one of the turning points in the contest. I believe this work is that type of masterpiece.

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