[TheStoriesOfTop7] Guardians - Martial Hervy / France - IAPLC 2019

08 May 2024

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An authentic concave aquascape won the second Silver Award. Its radially-arranged wood work is reminiscent of Takashi Amano's Nature Aquarium layouts while planting details and the color tone are nicely done in European style. The nice blending of these characteristics is, indeed, the originality of this aquascape. The execution of the layout is outstanding in terms of the composition balance and plants' conditions. However, the maker could improve the presentation of fish habitat by putting more emphasis on the fish's presence.

[TheStoriesOfTop7] Guardians - Martial Hervy / France - IAPLC 2019

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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