Mr. Martial Hervy (France) placed 4th (Silver prize) with his "Guardians." None of the winning works from 4th through 7th was awarded with the Best Aquarium by the judges, but this layout scored very high evenly across the board and it ranked the highest among these winning works. Especially, Mr. Hiroshi Yamada (Japan), Mr. Andre Longarco (Brazil), Frantisek Kolin (Czech Republic) and ADA (Japan) highly praised the work, with each judge giving over 200 points out of a total of 237. In this layout the composition has a sense of stability, created based on the Nature Aquarium layout style. Despite the amount of ferns and mosses used, Mr. Hervy managed not to generate a gloomy impression in this work, but rather tactfully created a brilliant image by planting colorful stem plants in the central opening, and with their reflection on the water surface. The great color tone unique to this layout is also one of its charms. Many contest submissions tend to be over eager and too rich in content, but on the other hand, this layout looks more laid back and relaxed, which may make us feel like we can spend hours just watching it every day. Its relaxing atmon sphere stands out particularly when compared side by side with other works. Finally, but not least, it is regrettable that the presence of fish is not quite strong enough.
IAPLC 2019 Gallery - Look back history - World Ranking 0004 - Silver Prize
Guardians
Author: Martial Hervy / France
Aquarium Size/W120×D50×H50 (cm)
Aquatic Plants
Bolbitis heudelotii
Microsorum sp. trident
Hemianthus micranthemoides
Bucephalandra sp.
Fissidens fontanus
Fissidens miroshaki
Riccardia graeffei
Rotala rotundifollia
Callicostella sp. 'Gunung sumpit
Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite'
Vesicularia sp.
Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame'
Marsilea crenata
Cryptocoryne beckettii var. petchii
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Cryptocoryne albida brown
Fish & Invertebrates
Paracheirodon simulans
AWARDS
World Ranking 0004 Silver Prize IAPLC 2019
Top Ten AGA 2019, Aquatic Garden 200~320L
Comments
I found out that this year my layout ranked in the top 7 by checking my email, there was a message from IAPLC support about <<< interview and request for the top 7 winners >> at first I did not pay too much attention thinking that it was a general message to all IAPLC contestant. However I quickly understood that the message was about congratulations, winning... it caught all my attention and I began to feel my heart racing and the surge of adrenaline... that was a vacation morning and I was at home with my family, at this moment my letter had not yet arrived so I was left knowing I probably had a great ranking but nothing tangible to confirm... We went to check the mail box and fortunately the letter was there. Opening it was a great moment we were all together sharing what we were sure would be great news. Opening the IAPLC letter is always a very special moment, different every time, and I have to admit that this year it was a particularly pleasant experience
Comment of Mr. André Longarço (Brazil)
This is a typical work that delights me. Nature style with shades of green and very well defined shadows.
It is a good flowing layout with well-demarcated power lines and accentuating perspective.
However I believe that the central wood takes some of the strength from the others and would improve the pruning of the mosses which seemed a little artificial to me. More careful work on the side reflexes could give this layout precious points.
But anyway it's a job that fills my eyes and particularly pleases me.
Congratulations.
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