[TheStoriesOfTop7] Pale Wind - Takayuki Fukada / Japan - IAPLC 2013

Gold Prize winning entry depicts forest woods by a bold arrangement of driftwood having wild and dynamic roots and branches. 

Moss is attached to the driftwood very skillfully to express mossy trees formed over time on the roots and trunk. It is also attached to the branches of the driftwood using a different technique to expresses needle leaf. Strong sense of perspective is successfully created by the contrast between the large trees in the foreground and the smaller trees expressed using smaller driftwood and moss along the path of cosmetic sand leading towards the inner space.

IAPLC 2013 - World Ranking 0002

Pale Wind

Author: Takayuki Fukada / Japan

Aquatic Plants

Micranthemum sp.

Hemianthus callitrichoides

Echinodorus tenellus

Lilaeopsis new-zealandii

Fontinalis antipyretica

Vesicularia sp.

Riccardia Graeffei

Monosolenium tender

Fish & Invertebrates

Paracheirodon axelrodi Otocinclus sp.

Crossocheilus siamensis Ancistrus sp. var.

Caridina multidentata

Comments

I was surprised and really happy to receive the Gold Prize in the International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest 2013. This was my 5th participa- tion in this contest and every year I am inspired by awesome layouts from all over the world. I have been making every effort with the aim to create a layout that can appeal to peoples' hearts. Fortunately, I have made many friends who can inspire and enhance each other through planted aquarium. I believe this led me to the wonderful moment this time and I will share the joy with all of my friends who have the same aspiration. I sincerely hope that IAPLC will be a place where global aquarists gather and share the passion and great excitement forever. Thank you very much.

Judges' Comments

Comment of Ms. Karen Randall (U.S.A.)

There were three tanks that I absolutely loved!!! The tank I finally chose as my top tanks is "Pale Wind". This is "another forest tank" but has been made distinctive by the very judicious use of moss on the upper "tree" branches. The moss, attached in small bunches, gives the very effective impression of oriental pine branches. The maker has also created a wonderful sense of depth with tiny "trees" descending toward the "horizon" and the use of empty space toward the back. The feeling is enhanced by the fact that he waited until his fish were schooling at the back of the tank, and, no doubt, through the use of a wide angle lens. The problem with the tank is that it is not a tank that would be easy to live with and maintain for a long time.

Comment of Mr. Friedrich Bitter (GERMANY)

For the artistic imressions of the layout, one must praise the artist. It has the correct division of the space and shows a high degree of perspective. The rear corners of the Aquarium were cleverly hidden, so that the field of view produces a natural curvature. While the bounded moss on the upper parts in the foreground is looking like leaves of a tree, it is used at the sides of the Aquarium as leafy branches or canopy. The fish were chosen com- pletely suitable. They are the energizing element of the scene and are used in combination with the light background to simulate a "pale wind", the theme of this Aquascape. At any time, the fish feel very comfortable in this Aquarium, because it has a lot of free swimming space as well as shade areas, in which they can temporarily withdraw. The branches in the fore- ground, similar to the aerial roots, overlap almost, while the tree trunks are abandoned so far apart that they seem not too massive and defining the image. The same applies to the very well selected stones, which reinforce the perspective. The plants and their arrangement on the ground, on the wood and the stones bear witness to great attention to detail. It is good that the eye also can take refreshment on areas without vegetation. That makes a diversified layout and the viewers have the desire to explore the full scene. It has been the right decision not to use a big variety of water plant species,and it positively affects the overall impression. My respect for this aquascape. Very individual pieces of drift wood and stones were com- bined together with sand and underwater plants into a harmonious whole. It took not just my attention. With such a high-quality work, a worthy refer- ence has been given as reference for the idea of the Nature Aquarium.

We can see that the creator paid close attention to details of the layout. This is a great piece of work with a clear sense of perspective.