2024 Aquatic Garden Less Than 28L

#187 Longbow by Justin Schiess, United States of America

Aquascape Details

Dimensions: 36 cm x 22 cm x 12 cm

Title: Longbow

Volume: 9.5 L

Lighting: Chihiros C II RGB LED

Filtration: Zoomed Nano 10 canister filter

Plants: Eleocharis acicularis, Lilaeopsis brasiliensis, Anubias nana ‘Petite’, Bucephalandra belindae, Mini Pellia

Live stock: Neocaridina davidi

Hardscape Materials: Rhino stone, driftwood

Background: None used

Substrate: UNS controsoil, ADA La Plata sand

A piece of modern art! The colors and abstract forms of Vincent van Gogh and Franc Marc have finally found their way into the design of aquariums. This work does not look natural at all, but rather like conceptual art that inspires. The diagonals point to a vanishing point outside the frame, and yet a slight depth effect is created by contrasting layers of plants and bleached and natural driftwood as well. I find the artist’s joy of playing extremely impressive. I find the interesting arrangement of plants in different colors very brave. Overall, I personally experience this masterful implementation of this new concept as almost humiliating. This work violates pretty much every rule that I try to convey to my students. At this point, I just have to bow to the genius. My deepest admiration! For me, the most innovative work of 2024.
— Frederic Fuss