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[TheStoriesOfTop7] Embrace - Josh Sim / Malaysia - IAPLC 2021

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The second Bronze Prize went to an aquascape which is a fusion of a interesting composition and beauty of aquatic plants. As a trend of recent contests, compositional eccentricity tends to be emphasized. However, this aquascape is excellent because it successfully expresses strength and a natural feeling in the relatively orthodox composition with driftwood. Moreover, stem plants planted in the background on the left and right, are giving color and comfort to the aquascape. Although bushes of those stem plants and ferns attached to the driftwood remind us of a conventional Nature Aquarium layout, it is interesting that the overall composition of this work looks more modern as seen in the recent contests.

"Embrace" by Mr. Josh Sim from Malaysia won the Bronze Prize and is ranked No.6 in the world rankings, scoring a total of 1,199 points. 5 out of 10 judges selected this work as one of their individual top 10 works, and Mr. Adip Sajjan Raj, a judge from India chose it as his Best Aquarium

IAPLC 2021 World Ranking Announcement - World Ranking 0006 - Bronze Prize

Embrace 

Author: Josh Sim / Malaysia

Aquarium Size/W150 × D60 × H60(cm)

Aquatic Plants

Anubias Barteri var. nana

Blyxa Japonica

Cryptocoryne parva

Fissidens Fontanus

Eleocharis sp.

Eriocaulon sp. Vietnam

Hemianthus callitrichoides

Ludwigia sp. Super Red

Microsorium pteropus

Rotala sp. Hra

Rotala rotundifolia

Rotala sp. Orange Juice

Vesicularia dubyana

Fish & Invertebrates

Hyphessobrycon amandae

Otocinclus affinis

Crossocheilus oblongus

Caridina multidentata

AWARDS

World Ranking 0006 Bronze Prize IAPLC 2021

Comments

Due to the on-going pandemic, the result announcement of IAPLC 2021 was again through live stream and it has created the anxiety among all the participants, just like 2020. It was a fun and intense moment during the result announcement for those who participated, to the point that most of us are not entirely sure whether we want our names to be called. To be very honest, I was expecting my name to be announced much earlier this year but as the announcement went on and my name has not appeared, I was starting to worry that I might not even be in the top100 at all. It was a totally unexpected result for me and I was extremely happy to be in the Top7. This ranking has given me a new sense of purpose and encouragement going into 2022. There was a brief moment this year that I felt the momentum to compete has dwindled and there was this voice inside my head telling me that maybe I should take a rest - after 13 years of competing at the highest level, I thought it might be a good opportunity to take a break and to recharge. This pandemic has put a toll on everyone and with the stress it brings, it was really hard to concentrate on aquascaping. Anyway, I was grateful that I resisted the temptation (to rest) this year, and now I am full of motivation again to go on. I hope to create something to challenge myself next year irrespective of how it will be ranked - it feels kind of fun, just like how aquascaping is supposed to be.

Comments from Mr. Adip Sajjan Raj (India)

The aquascape titled 'Embrace' is a unique aquascape that I believe is embodying the art of true nature underwater. Its delicate balance in the choice of stem plants is not too bold but so gentle that it's a wonderful transition from green to yellow to orange to red. The use of fissidens and mosses is also done very well which shows the charac- ter of the wood and the passage of time. There is a good sense of depth in this aquascape, and it surely builds a story of Embracing nature in all its glory. The fish used is tiny ember tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae), and they also fit perfectly into this layout by not being too flashy and blend in between the driftwood color and that of the decorative sand used. The technique of layering used by the aquas- caper is also excellent. Kudos to the aquascaper, this is an intricate work of art which follows the principles of Nature.

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