[TheStoriesOfTop7] Ancient Tree - YOYO PRAYOGI / Indonesia - IAPLC 2021

23 May 2024

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This aquascape reminiscent of a submerged tropical forest won the Grand Prix of IAPLC2021 making a fresh start. Although works with a submerged forest motif are not so unusual every year, a huge tree is placed in the center of this work, and its stunning presence differentiates the work from similar works. By elaborating only the submerged buttress roots to full-width of the aquarium tank, it makes us wonder how big the tree could be although we wouldn't be able to see the whole tree, and it has even led to the expression of a realistic underwater feeling.

[TheStoriesOfTop7] Ancient Tree - YOYO PRAYOGI / Indonesia - IAPLC 2021

In addition, using only white cosmetic sand around the buttress roots is effective, and the strength of the buttress roots supporting the huge tree by widely spreading the roots is well-expressed although the roots cannot be stretched out deeply in the ground. The presence of the huge tree in the center stands out because of the expression of the buttress roots and relatively simple trees around the buttress roots. The competition among the top winners' abilities was very close this year again, but the boldness of those expressions was impressive as an aquascape, and as a result, it was highly evaluated by many of the judges. The creator's skills for the aquatic plant planting and maintenance are high, and the aquascape is nicely finished and worthy of winning the Grand Prix.

Ancient Tree" by Mr. YOYO PRAYOGI from Indonesia won the Grand Prix and is ranked No.1 in the IAPLC2021 world rankings, scoring a total of 1,608 points. 8 out of 10 judges selected this work as one of their individual top 10 works, and Mr. Shogo Yamaguchi, a judge from Japan chose it as his Best Aquarium. Mr. Yamaguchi's evaluation comment is as follows.

IAPLC 2021 World Ranking Announcement - World Ranking 0001 - Grand Prize

Ancient Tree

Author: YOYO PRAYOGI / Indonesia

Aquarium Size/W120 × D50 × H50(cm)

Aquatic Plants

Anubias barteri var. nana "Petite"

Buchephalandra sp.

Cryptocoryne wendtii brown

Tonina fluviatilis

Glossostigma elatinoides

Heteranthera zosterifolia

Micranthemum sp. "Monte Carlo"

Rotala nanjean

Rotala sp. "Gia Lai"

Vesicularia montagnei

Fish & Invertebrates

Hyphessobrycon amandae

AWARDS

World Ranking 0001 Grand Prize IAPLC 2021

Comments

I was with my little family and remembered that today is the day I've been waiting for, yes the announcement of the results of my work in the prestigious contest in the world, IAPLC. I prepared my cup of coffee and snacks for my family, they are very enthusiastic, every time a rating appears they always shout "this is great.. cool.. amazing etc." When I saw the ranking announcement, I had time to ask myself "where is my aquarium???" because the last few years my tank was not good. Top 50 passed, top 27 passed I'm still waiting patiently, my son started asking "which aquarium, dad?" and I tried to cheer them up by saying "my tank is at the end" to keep them excited hahaha. Top 7 started to come, my family was buzzing saying "that's great, that's cool" and I started glancing at my tank and saying to myself "next year I have to be better than this year and yesterday". Top 3 I started to focus on watching, top 2 and the Grand champ time has arrived on the screen when I hear the sound on my cellphone "Ancient Tree.. YOYO Prayogi"?? that's me?? very confused is this a dream?? no, I'm still conscious and shocked. yes that's my tank, my Ancient Tree. it's totally real.. they cheer loudly, "that's daddy's aquarium" they say over and over!!! I really didn't expect this to be like a dream, we were all moved, proud, happy and I'm still in shock!! this is the first time for me and the first time for my country too. I hope this will be a good start for the advancement of aquascapes, especially in my country, and around the world. Thank you sensei Takashi Amano, thank you IAPLC

Comment from Mr. Shogo Yamaguchi (Japan)

The top 10 works in IAPLC are ranked based on the sum of the points scored in the six judging criteria. My Best Aquarium, "Ancient Tree", can be categorized as the so-called forest style. However, it could also be seen as a submerged forest because the underwater feeling is expressed quite well. For that reason, I gave it a high score in one of the criteria, "Reproduction of natural habitat for fish", which is worth 50 points out of the 100 total points. In addition, the following factors led to high scores in other criteria: the driftwood-based com- position that leaves a very strong but not overwhelming impression was highly evaluated in the "Overall composition and planting balance", the planting of moss that conveys a sense of the passage of time in the "Presentation of natural atmosphere" and the "Long-term maintenance", and the decorative sand that gives a sense of tension to the layout where plants are densely planted in the "Originality and impression". Looking back now on the judging pro- cess, I would like to remark that the most flawless work among the entries was selected as the Best Aquarium, and this made me realize once again the history of IAPLC and the high standard of its entries.

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