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[TheStoriesOfTop7] Dream On - Josh Sim / Malaysia - IAPLC 2019

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This year's Grand prize goes to Mr. Josh Sim of Malaysia. What inspires us the most about this work is its novel and powerful approach to the composition brought out by fine planting details. This aquascape was created faithfully to the teachings of Takashi Amano, founder of Nature Aquarium and this contest; "Go bold with your composition, but careful with planting." Although the driftwood pieces used as the primary layout material of this aquascape are rectilinear and relatively large, their combination and arrangement are creating smart visual effects. The making of eccentric layouts in a deliberate manner seems to be one of the latest trends in contest submissions, but we believe that this layout is highly regarded because it achieves a strong impact while appearing less suggestive.

Mr. Josh Sim's "Dream On" took the first place (Grand prize) in IAPLC World Rankings 2019. One of the top aquascapers, and the winner of IAPLC 2017, Mr. Sim scored high average again with his latest submis- sion, which is also ADA's Best Aquarium of the year. This layout was awarded with the Grand prize among many quality submissions because of its exceptional composition work and refined expression. ADA's comments on its Best Aquarium follows below

IAPLC 2019 Gallery - Look back history - World Ranking 0001 - Grand Prize

Dream On

Author: Josh Sim/ Malaysia

Aquarium Size/W120×D60×H50 (cm)

Aquatic Plants

Ammania gracilis

Bucephalandra sp. Catherine

Cryptocoryne Parva

Fissidens fontanus

Micranthemum sp. Monte Carlo

Eleocharis sp.

Hydrocotyle vulgaris

Hemianthus callitrichoides 'Cuba'

Ranunculus papulentus

Rotala rotundifolia

Fish & Invertebrates

 Paracheirodon Innesi

Crossocheilus oblongus

Otocinclus Affinis

Caridina multidentata

AWARDS

World Ranking 0001 Grand Prize IAPLC 2019

Comments

I was with my family when I saw the news that IAPLC result letters had been sent out from ADA HQ, so I told my 3 kids, I would open my letter with all of them this year, something that I have never done before. They probably would not understand how important the content of this "letter" to me, but they happily said OK. In the following week Wednesday, to my big surprise, my "letter" came in the form of EMS. I felt very happy that I am in the Top7 again!! The urge of opening the EMS immediately is very strong but I kept my promise to my family, I would like to open the letter only when everyone is around. As I will only see all my kids in another 3 days, I endured the most difficult 3 days of my life, while seeing friends around the world revealing their results on social media. On the day before my "open ceremony", 5 places of the Top7 were taken, the last 2 spots left, were Grand Prize and #7, so it means I will be either Champion or Number 7!! It is not a bad situation to be in.... but I believe you would understand how I felt! Finally on Friday... I let the kids opened the EMS and I want them to read my ranking to me while I was holding my wife's hand. They could not find the result page so it took them some time to search for it...and my heart almost jumped out from my mouth during that few sec- onds. Suddenly, I heard them screaming at the top of their lung "Number 1....Number 1.... Number 1....." We hugged each other and I feel grateful that I have my family around me to celebrate this amazing moment in my life! It is a wonderful feeling to be able to get the highest recognition in the most prestigious aquascaping contest in the world. I wish that Mr Amano could see my layout and I hope that I make him proud, Nature Aquarium has evolved, I am sure that he is happy to know something that he started, has given everybody a dream! Thank you Sensei. Thank you IAPLC.

Comment of ADA (Japan)

This layout is characterized by bold wood work composed of two large driftwood pieces that are exquisitely positioned to create a powerful impact and a sense of depth. There are nowadays many submissions of visually detailed aquascapes well-crafted with slender twigs, but for this layout it seems like that large, thick driftwood were used intentionally by the maker, who has a keen understanding of this contest, in order to express an atmosphere distinctive from the rest of contest submissions. In addition, he exhibits his talent throughout the work, including the use of two irregularly cut driftwood pieces creating a strong, wild impression, and his choice of Micranthemum sp. Montecarlo hanging from the driftwood, instead of ferns and moss. Adapting Nature Aquarium techniques, the maker has successfully developed his own ways of expression without being too exaggerating both visually and technically. This layout is undeniably illustrating a "success of orthodox method."

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