Longing - Top 2 IAPLC 2023 - Gang Zhao/China

Expressing my own inner world through aquascaping.

Gang Zhao
Country: People’s Republic of China
Age: 51 years old
Occupation: Freelance
Aquarium experience: 7 years
Hobbies besides aquarium: Calligraphy, Painting
Record of awards in the past IAPLC:
IAPLC2022 3rd

AJ - adana.co.jp - Tell us how you feel now that you won the Prize in the IAPLC 2023.
The long awaited results of the IAPLC 2023 were announced on August 26 at 7:00 pm (China time). My heart was pounding. Since the announcements were made from the top 100, my spirits were getting heavy as the works were introduced one after another. However, I felt the happiest moment when I found out that the 2nd place in the world ranking (Gold Prize) was me. I was so excited all at once that tears naturally welled up in my eyes. At that moment, I felt that all of my obsession with planted aquariums and the efforts I had put into them had been rewarded. The past few years have been very difficult at times, but I have kept on trying.

AJ - adana.co.jp - Tell us what you wanted to express with your layout work; layout theme, motif, ideas behind your winning work.
I started by sketching a canyon, then instilled into it the aquascape creation art form to give the whole composition an abstract and geometric beauty. In accordance with this vision, I endeavoured to give it a prominent vanishing point. This is another of it’s ideas.

Manifesting the rough sketch of the image in his head.

AJ - adana.co.jp - What was the most difficult aspect of creating and maintaining this layout work?
For the layout production, as regards my treatment of light and shade, I really had to do some figuring out for the lower part of the valley’s rock wall in the main scene. It wasn’t a simple one-time finish. In the stages that came after pouring the water and planting, I could not see in detail because the water was cloudy and yellow. After the water cleared up I could finally make observations. As the dark shadows were still too strong, there was not enough clarity in the depth going down or the latitudinal layers, so I made adjustments. But even then it still looked unnatural, lacking enough overall coherence, so I had to go over my adjustments to further strengthen the visual effects.

AJ - adana.co.jp - What are the key points when you select aquatic plants and fish species?
Because the surface area of the whole piece is so wide, I mainly chose mini-size Riccardia chamedryfolia for the aquatic plants. For fish, I chose Paracheirodon axelrodi as I think they suit this piece.

AJ - adana.co.jp - What fascinate or attract you the most about the planted aquarium hobby?
The beauty of life and movement.

AJ - adana.co.jp - What are your favorite ADA product(s) and why?
I recommend Solar RGB lighting as it is so natural. With consistent quality that fans trust, ADA product development are always leading the market.

AJ - adana.co.jp - Do you have any tips for winning in the IAPLC?
I have no secret theory but I do think that in an aquascape, one’s inner world can be expressed through nature.

AJ - adana.co.jp - What kind of aquascape do you want to create in the future? Do you have any dreams relating to the aquarium hobby?
I would like to go pursue new ideas which combine aquascaping with aspects of the supernatural. As for my aquarium systems, I would like to fix the inadequacies in my current set-up, and also make maintenance simpler and more convenient. I would like more people to recognise the appeal of aquascaping.

AJ - adana.co.jp - If you belong to any aquarium circles or clubs, please tell us about their activities.
I am not currently in any aquarium club.

AJ - adana.co.jp - What do you think about the IAPLC?
It is known worldwide as the most vigorous annual competition, the ultimate hall of fame for all the world’s aquatic plant enthusiasts.

aquajournal / adana.co.jp