[TheStoriesOfTop7] Origin. Dawn lights - Juan Puchades / Spain - IAPLC 2021

22 May 2024

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The third Bronze Prize went to an aquascape in which scenery of a valley was expressed with a distinctive atmosphere. While assuming that a super wide-angle lens would be used for photoshooting beforehand, a method of covering the left and right sides of the aquarium tank by rock walls and a method of making an arch with stones have become familiar by now. However, by creating an arch at a low position in a deep valley and making a path leading to the back under the arch slightly visible, an interesting visual effect is created. Even the reflection of aquatic plants on the surface of water looks like part of the composition, and this makes the central space clear and emphasizes a sense of perspective.

[TheStoriesOfTop7] Origin. Dawn lights - Juan Puchades / Spain - IAPLC 2021

"Origin. Dawn lights" by Mr. Juan Puchades from Spain won the Bronze Prize and is ranked No.7 in the world rankings, scoring a total of 1,159 points. 4 out of 10 judges selected this work as one of their individual top 10 works, and Mr. Adam Paszczela, a judge from Poland chose it as his Best Aquarium.

IAPLC 2021 World Ranking Announcement - World Ranking 0007 - Bronze Prize

Origin. Dawn lights (Origin. Dawn lights)

Author: Juan Puchades / Spain

Aquarium Size/W120 × D60 × H55(cm)

Aquatic Plants

Anubias barteri var. nana

Anubias barteri var. nana "Pangolino"

Anubias barteri var. nana "petit"

Bolbitis heudelotii

Fissidens fontanus

Microsorum sp. "Trident"

Riccardia chamedryfolia

Hemianthus callitrichoides "Cuba"

Littorella uniflora

Bucephalandra sp. Velvet Entikong

Bucephalandra sp. Red Velvet

Bucephalandra sp. Mini Belindae

Bucephalandra sp. Belindae

Bucephalandra sp. Mini Coin

Bucephalandra sp. Catherine

Bucephalandra sp. Mini Catherine

Bucephalandra sp. Cherry Mini

Bucephalandra sp. Lamandau Mini Red

Bucephalandra sp. Lamandau Purple

Bucephalandra sp. Theia

Bucephalandra sp. "Bukit Kelam/Sintang"

Bucephalandra sp. Angel Tears

Bucephalandra sp. Kedagang Mini

Micranthemum sp. "Monte Carlo"

Cryptocoryne parva

Eleocharis sp. Minima

Rotala rotundifolia "Colorata"

Rotala sp. Hra

Rotala sp. Orange Juice

Fish & Invertebrates

Hemmigrammus erythrozonus

Trigonostigma hengeli

Crossocheilus oblongus

AWARDS

World Ranking 0007 Bronze Prize IAPLC 2021

Comments

During the month of August I can rest from my business for 3 weeks. This time I can spend more time with my family and develop the structure of the aquarium to be able to develop the planting for the rest of the year. For many years the arrival of the letter was a cause for anticipation, even loss of sleep and countless hours talking to my friends about what will happen that year in the competition or if they had already received their letters and positions. After the pandemic, and the new result format, everything is concentrated into one frantic hour. This year I decided to watch the results in privacy, sitting in front of my television. As the results progressed, the excitement grew and with it the fear of not having been selected among so many good works in the top 100. When I reached the places of Honour Prize, several of my teammates appeared one after another. I could not get over my amazement to see the great results that the Spanish team was achieving. There was a great deal of internal satisfaction. After all the works from 100 to 8 were exposed, the feeling was one of confusion, all those who know me know that my desire was to reach the top 7 once in my life, without being obsessed, but I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. I remember that as soon as my aquarium came out, I got down on my knees, smiled and found a moment of absolute inner peace. I didn't need words, just to enjoy that moment. Immediately the phone rang, it was my great friend Luca Galarraga. I remember his first words: "You did it, my friend, you did it. I feel this success as if it were my own". I remember that I could answer him very little, I shed one or two small tears, and I kept a sense of inner wellbeing calm. This was followed by endless calls and messages, lots and lots of love from my family, friends and fellow hobbyists. I remember that weekend with appreciation. However, my mind was asking me to find a quiet moment, and when I got it, I personally called three people who have marked my life, three people who have made aquascaping a fundamental part of me. I called Luca Galarraga, Long Tran Hoang and Masashi Ono. To all three of them I conveyed my gratitude, getting a top7 was undoubtedly thanks to everything they transmitted to me in the present and in the past. They not only managed to pass on knowledge to me, but they also changed my understanding of life. Finally, I thought of my good friend Josh Sim, he certainly believed in me and during the last two years I received his advice, with which I achieved this beautiful success.

Comments from Mr. Adam Paszczela (Poland)

In the evaluation for the IAPLC 2021, I decided to give my Best Aquarium to a work called "Origin. Dawn lights". This was a haunting- ly beautiful and peaceful aquascape for me. It seems like a view close to the unreal landscape even though it looks familiar to me, for example it's from a region in Asia, etc. However, I also have a strong impression of traveling back in time to the Inca era in South America, probably due to the amazing warm colors used both in the category of decorative material as well as the selection of plants and use of top light. The composition looks like a burning flame, but at the same time, it brings relief and peace. This is what distinguishes this work from others. The composition is not a typical example of the Nature style, but the closeness of nature can be felt in this work at your fingertips. The work takes the viewer to a seemingly unreal world and yet such unreal nature surrounded by the lands in Jurassic times. And such a title referring to this prehistoric era could clearly direct the viewer to what the author wanted to present while the simple title referring to the play of light during the day allows any reception and interpretation of work. Such neutrality makes the work intriguing and original at the same time. The use of the inner space with a so-called bridge, a high hill and hanging details having a balance on the sides and ending with plants in warm colors, creates a very dynamic atmosphere and warms the blood of the viewer. Congratulations on the idea and attention to detail. The magical reference to the Manga World is also one of the advantages of this arrangement. I felt such a positive message from this work.

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