[TheStoriesOfTop7] Meotogi - Takashi Hosoda/Japan - IAPLC 2024

This work uses driftwood of varying thicknesses to represent a forest grove. While the motif itself is not new, the creator has elevated it to a more refined work using realistic techniques. Driftwood is arranged in a V-shape in the front center, allowing the distant forest represented by stem plants to be seen through the gap, emphasizing depth. Additionally, a stream or path made of white decorative sand meanders from the central back to the front right, skillfully creating a sense of realistic distance. The open area around this also prevents the layout from feeling too dark, giving it a fresh and light impression

IAPLC 2024 World Ranking Announcement - World Ranking 0006 - Bronze Prize

Meotogi 

Author: Takashi Hosoda / Japan

Aquarium Size/W1,200 x D450 × H450

Aquatic Plants

Hemianthus micranthemoides

Rotala sp. 'green'

Leptochilus pteropus

Leptochilus sp. 'Narrow Leaf'

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite'

Cryptocoryne wendtii

Hydrocotyle tripartita

Micranthemum 'Monte Carlo'

Bucephalandra sp. 'coin'

Vesicularia sp.

Bolbitis heudelotii

Fish & Invertebrates

Trigonostigma heteromorpha

Otothyropsis dialeukos

Badis badis

Caridina multidentata

AWARDS

World Ranking 0006 Bronze Prize IAPLC 2024

Comments from Mr. Albert Connelly, Jr. (U.S.A.)

To be included in the top IAPLC rankings is a recognition of an aquascaper's skill, an acknowledgement that their aquatic masterwork has earned them worldwide recognition as the best of the best among the world's aquarium layout designers. And those who go on to earn the Grand Prize stand proudly as the "cream of the crop" among so many talented aquatic-plant layout artists. This aquascape, titled "meotogi" is a standout worthy of such celebration. The viewer of this layout finds them self in a flooded forest, observing a school of rasboras making their way across submerged tree trunks and underbrush during the high-water rainy season. The driftwood tree trunks are expertly rendered, with ever-thinner "trees" receding into the back- ground, employing an artful photographer's depth-of-field technique to evoke the experience of standing at ground level with a beautiful perspective on a majestic forest of trees and ground cover. The planting of this work, a classic combination of low-growing foreground mosses and epiphytes, midground ferns, and stem plants rising up in the background, represent the epitome of the Nature Aquarium style. IAPLC layouts, aside from being artful aquascapes, are meant to be first and foremost a healthy habitat for the fish and invertebrates dwelling within. This long and low, expertly planted aquarium with ample swim-through structure delivers on that aspect wonderfully, providing plenty of swimming space for these active schooling fish to live their best lives within this artfully rendered habitat

Comments

This year marks my 8th time participating in IAPLC. I could never have imagined that I would improve from 1,331st place to a 6th place ranking. I watched the results being announced by myself at home. I was really fond of this year's work, so honestly, I was on the edge of my seat up until around the top 50, thinking it might be my turn soon. However, as the rankings progressed through the 30th and 20th places, I began to feel frustrated, thinking that I hadn't placed again this year. Then, just when I had completely resigned myself to being an viewer, my work was called. I shouted out, 'What!? Really?? No way!' all by myself. Back in 2020, I miraculously placed 11th, but after that, I didn't come close to placing at all. Maybe there was some strange pressure. There were even times when I thought about quitting since the results weren't reflecting my efforts, but I'm really glad I didn't give up and kept going. I am truly grateful to the judges who gave my work such high marks this time, especially the judge who awarded me the Best Aquarium prize. Thank you so much. It seems like my ranking follows a miraculous four-year cycle, like the Olympics, so look out 2028! 11th, 6th, then... Well, I'll just give it my best!