Aquascaping categories--my own take on it.

[randy0319]

Fantasy category

From castles with moats to Frodo's house. This category transports us to another world.

Seasonal fantasies can hold magic and charm such as these Christmas tree expressions. I wonder whar fish think of 'snow'?

The desert scene is unique and presented very well. It is brilliant and if more examples are seen, it might warrant another category.

 

[randy0319]

Designer category

This category for me is really amazing. Those who venture into this area really work with design in an unorthodox way. They make us rethink the way a tank can look and help us to enjoy the beauty of their unique visions.

The scape above looks like an octopus or Cathulu has been unleashed. It is brilliant!

Salvidore Dali is smiling and so am I.

Great use of negative space, line, and direction. It looks like Japanese calligraphy in green.

Brilliant use of line, stroke, space, and imagination.

great use of form, texture and sculptural expression.

one of Oliver Knott's fanciful tanks taking us into a Japanese garden

Below is ravattar's wonderful expression using stacked rocks- like the type that you see marking a twist in a mountain trail. Here he has shown aquascaping with a modern sculptural perspective that takes our aquatic art to a new level.

Below the rice patty fields and terraced farming of ancient cultures is strikingly represented.

SINGLE POINT PERSPECTIVE CATEGORY:

This new category has developed quite recently (as of 2012-2013). Its masterful execution depends of drawing the eye to a single point using the golden ratio and visual 'lines of sight' that were developed during the 15th and 16th centuries in Europe. The exact position of sight of the viewer is crucial for the illusion to take effect. Viewed from any other angle and the illusion is in danger of being broken.

 

[randy0319]

Avatar/Pandora Category

This was such a popular film that it spawned its own category in my opinion. Here are a few different interpretations of it. I hope that there will be more to come from imaginative people.

 

[randy0319]

Combination Category

Since no two tanks are alike there will be hybrids and crossovers. Such combinations can be really amazing to see and very inspiring. Here are but a few...

combo of forest, iwagumi, and convex.

Combo of rectangle, stream and concave.

Combo of double isle, and arch.

combo of tree stump, mountain, and triangle/wedge, and CAVE!!

Combo of double island, and woodland.

Combo of Arch, concave, and island

Combo of arch, seashore,forest/woodland, with some iwagumi on the side- hold the mayo.

Combo of 'V' cut, triangle/wedge,stream, iwagumi, etc. nicely done

combo of forest and triangle, concave

Mountain Iwagumi with bonsai cascade trees above.




woodland and v cut below

woodland and seashore below

Tree stump and woodland below

 

[randy0319]

Wabi- kusa category

Dish gardens and fish have been with us forever. Some of the earliest examples come from the art of Bonsai using 'Floating Isles' in a large shallow ceramic platter of water. Mosses, and miniature trees hung tenaciously from the rocky crags. Here are a few versions of these green jewels.

 

[randy0319]

Other categories

I am sure that other categories could be dreamt up- such as sculptural, free form, etc. I am sure that you, gentle reader, gets the idea. These are most all of the main categories of aquascaping that I have noticed and catalogued. Please share your thoughts and your own lists of your favourite tanks. Peace---R


CANOPY TREE(S) CATEGORY:

This category is simple and straight forward. It approaches the perspective of looking up at the 'leaves' of one to three trees. Its emphasis is on the branches and spreading canopy as a focal point. When you see this creation it becomes unmistakable as a masterful art form.

below is my was my attempt using Brazilian pennywort for the canopy. The picture was taken by a friend before I had my own digital camera, and this scape no longer exists.

 

[saiko]

Awesome categories, covering efforts through the ages of the hobby.

Thanks for the compilation.Loved it!!

 

[stevo]

What a nice list of some stunning tanks. Thanks for your work, keep it up mate! We can clearly see your efforts! roud:

 

[artlive]

Nice collection. Although I’ve just started with this hobby, every once in a while if I come across a really nice aquascape pictures, then I will keep it. But your collection is awesome.

 

[randy0319]

Thanks folks. I am glad that it helps. Now lets see your magnificent tanks!!

 

[ghostsword]

I really liked it, making it a sticky. This compilation will help many forum members looking for a description of their setup, and will also assist newbies on what is possible with a bit of imagination.

 

[randy0319]

Thank you Luis. I also hope to add more classic examples as I find them to include in different catagories.

 

[Yoda]

Thank you :113::113:

 

[randy0319]

Seashore category:

I almost consider this a sub category but as I looked through my picture collection I noticed that this form has unique characteristics. Usually, but not always, there is a 1/3 to 2/3 ratio of sand to rock and planting. If the artist wishes- the shoreline can drift off into the vanishing point thus enhancing the feel of lonely, romantic, coastline.

 

[sushant]

this is the best compilation evr :%3:%3. thanks for the pics:rock::rock:

 

[Bando]

Very detailed and informative.
Nice work!
What about minimalistic? Or did i miss it ?
Some times its the toughest to bring about that big impact with few plants and other composition material in the tank.

 

[randy0319]

Bando- sounds like a good category. I have not seen such tanks. Do you have any pics to share?? If you mean abundant use of one or two species and the rest being hard scape then that style has many examples in these categories. Post something so that I have a better idea of what you are thinking of.


Minimalist Category:

A new expression of Iwagumi is the Minimalist style. Containing simple elements that are few in number (usually one plant species-one or two rocks- or one other element), to express this style takes the hand of an artist, and the experience to know when to stop. Simple does not always equal easy; but it has a beauty all its own. The goal of this style is to hold our viewing interest with as few elements as possible. More examples shall be added to this category as they are found and contributed .

Perspective category:

Flipping established standards used on the stage we call an aquarium, this style stops the eye from the edges with plants meant to mask certain views that we take for granted. This style then leads our eyes to a far away scene by naturally making us curious to see further into the scape. It generates within us the desire to see what is behind the blockade of plants by peaking our curiosity with a distant focal point.

With the tree trunks on either side, and the rocks framing the right , this masterful scape draws us in.

 

[Bando]

I meant scanty use of plants and hardscape material. I have come across pictures in the past but can't seem to find any at the moment. It would be like having the impact of a lush 1 acre lawn and comparing it to a bonsai.
Picture #1, #2, and last one in sea shore category are somewhat indicative of what i'm saying.
Most Amazon biotope could fall into that style.
There was an aquascape in IAPLC which was a sandy mound with two stones and few hair grass which placed about 250 or so if i recall correctly.

 

[randy0319]

I will see what i can find. It almost sounds like a sub catagory of iwagumi.

 

[randy0319]

I was emailing some aquascaping buds of mine and one reason why minimalistic tanks are uncommon is that it is difficult to keep just one or two plany species in a tank without dealing with nutrient/fert uptake and algae problems. It is not impossible but that style is left to the highly advanced aquarist...I am not one of them..too much of a nube/beginner here.