Re: Judging the AGA aquascaping contest.

[Erik Olson <erik@thekrib.com>]

And thanks Karen for keeping the thread going so that the steering 
committee can actually see Steve's messages -- they keep bouncing when he 
sends them to aga-sc because he's not subscribed...

  - Erik

On Thu, 30 Oct 2003, Karen Randall wrote:

> Thanks, Steve!
> 
> Karen
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Steve" <steve_wilsonii@fishpalace.org>
> To: "Karen Randall" <krandall@rdrcpa.biz>; "AGA Steering Committee"
> <aga-sc@thekrib.com>
> Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 4:27 PM
> Subject: Re: Judging the AGA aquascaping contest.
> 
> 
> > Karen,
> > I would love to see the annual AGA convention come to Boston or at least
> New
> > England. There are many plant enthusiests in the Boston area and I am sure
> > that the AGA could have yet another spike in New England memberships if
> that
> > were to be the case. I have spent a fair amount of time helping to expand
> > the planted aquarium hobby by offering information and plants to a local
> > online message board as well as converting a couple of fish tanks at a
> local
> > nursing home from plastic to live plants. I also have written the local
> > Manchester, NH news paper in response to an article which stated that
> > Hydrilla was infesting NH and ME lakes and the causes for this is
> hobbiests
> > bringing thier tanks to lakes to dump them out, and waterfowl. Of course
> > they did not go into how the Canada Geese eat hydrilla tubers from Florida
> > waterways and are not usually digested and then deposited along thier
> > migration route. Which since I dont know of any Hydrilla enthusiests seems
> > to be the most likely situation. I sure know that I am not going to carry
> > even a ten gallon tank anywhere due to the weight. Of course my response
> was
> > never printed and it is articles like that which taint the general
> public's
> > view on aquatic horticulture.
> > I would really love to be an active member of the AGA and actually help to
> > accomplish something besides reading TAG. Ed Pecord and Erik can
> definately
> > count on my active participation. I will save this message and touch base
> > again in December or so. If someting comes up, dont hesitate to drop me an
> > email.
> > Steve
> >
> >
> >
> > From: "Karen Randall" <krandall@rdrcpa.biz>
> > To: "AGA Steering Committee" <aga-sc@thekrib.com>; "Steve"
> > <steve_wilsonii@fishpalace.org>
> > Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 3:33 PM
> > Subject: Re: Judging the AGA aquascaping contest.
> >
> >
> > > Hi Steve,
> > >
> > > >> I would love to help in any way I can. I am not too concerned with
> > > entering the contest, due mainly to the fact that my tank is never
> ready.
> > <<
> > >
> > > Ahhh, I know that feeling.<g>  The open house last year was actually
> great
> > > for me because it gave me a deadline I couldn't get out of to get my
> tanks
> > > in some kind of order.  You can say, "I'm not ready" and just decide not
> > to
> > > enter a contest, but when you've invited a whole bunch of people into
> your
> > > home to see your tanks, you really have no choice but to follow
> > through.<g>
> > >
> > > >> I am somewhat of a perfectionist with my aquascape and although I
> think
> > > it looks great,..<<
> > >
> > > My experience is that EVERYONE thinks their tanks could look better.<g>
> > >
> > > >> As a matter of fact I pulled out a 22 stem stand of Limnophilia
> > > sessiliflora this morning and replaced it with some Eichhornia
> > diversifolia
> > > that I aquired from Uncle Ned's about two weeks ago. They were sorry
> > looking
> > > things, and the three stems I got are now ten remarkably fast growing
> > > beautiful plants.<<
> > >
> > > Yeah, that came from me.  Unfortunately, it's a plant that Ned kills
> very
> > > quickly if someone doesn't buy it first.  The good thing is that, as
> > you've
> > > found, under good conditions, it's not at all a difficult plant.
> > >
> > > >> As a matter of fact I got some Marsilea from you in February that
> > > completely filled in and took over my 75 gallon tank and I ended up
> having
> > > to remove most of it because it was choking other plants.<<
> > >
> > > A trick with the Marsilea is to cut it into 1-2 node sections, and plant
> > > them each separately. This seems to stunt the growth for quite a while,
> > > allowing it to fill in and make quaite a nice "lawn".  But, as with most
> > > other "lawn" plants, eventually it dose get overgrown, and needs to be
> > > ripped out and restarted.
> > >
> > > >> Now let me get back on track here... <<
> > >
> > > (ehem) me too.<g>
> > >
> > > >> Helping Erik out with the contest is something I would really love to
> > do.
> > > I live, sleep, and breath this remarkable hobby and well I think my own
> > > family thinks that I am somewhat of a freak because of it. <<
> > >
> > > Awesome!  I think Erik usually needs a little down-time between
> contests,
> > > but I'm sure he'll be looking you up when he gets started again.
> > >
> > > >>I would not be limited to just the contest either, I would be willing
> to
> > > contribute my time and efforts to the AGA on any level possible. My
> > current
> > > financial situation is regretably such that I am not able to attend this
> > > years convention, and I will not be able to make any financial
> > contributions
> > > at this time. My time and "talents" are however at the AGA's disposal,
> > which
> > > I am assuming is acceptable. Please let me know if there is anything I
> can
> > > do to help or participate actively in the AGA.<<
> > >
> > > Even better!  I'm sure we'll be able to find a job or two for you.  Just
> > off
> > > the top of my head, seeing as you are here in the Boston area, Ed Pecord
> > is
> > > trying to drum up a core group of people to bring the AGA convention to
> > > Boston (or at least New England) in 2004 or 2005.  I'm sure he'd LOVE to
> > > have someone help him with that, and then youw wouldn't need to travel
> to
> > > the convention!
> > >
> > > I'm sure there are other things we could use help with too, but at the
> > > moment, we're all trying to tie up loose ends for the convention.  Send
> us
> > > another e-mail after the convention dust has settled, and we'll
> brainstorm
> > > where/how we can best use your talents and enthusiasm!
> > >
> > > Thanks for stepping forward!
> > >
> > > Karen
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > > From: Karen Randall
> > > To: Steve ; Erik Olson
> > > Cc: AGA Steering Committee
> > > Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 10:40 AM
> > > Subject: Re: Judging the AGA aquascaping contest.
> > >
> > >
> > > You are entirely welcome!  As you might guess, sometimes the
> "management"
> > of
> > > a volunteer organization like this works in a bit of a vacuum.  It is
> > great
> > > when someone takes the time to make thoughtful criticism of a program.
> It
> > > give us some input in terms of making future decisions.
> > >
> > > Another thought that I have is that since you seem interested in the
> > > contest, perhaps you would like to be part of making it even better in
> the
> > > future!  Erik has been the driving force behind the contest since the
> > second
> > > year, and did a huge amount of the work even the first year.  I am sure
> > that
> > > he would welcome a willing pair of hands!  (Incidentally, helping with
> the
> > > contest does NOT preclude you from entering the contest... the entries
> all
> > > go to the judges with no identification, so there is no conflict of
> > > interest)
> > >
> > > Karen
> > > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > > From: Steve
> > > To: Karen Randall ; Erik Olson
> > > Cc: AGA Steering Committee
> > > Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 8:25 AM
> > > Subject: Re: Judging the AGA aquascaping contest.
> > >
> > >
> > > Thank you both for your response to my letter. Admittedly I was home
> with
> > a
> > > fever yesterday, and being that it was almost a year ago that I made my
> > own
> > > observations, there was no urgencey on my part to convey my point of
> view.
> > I
> > > do want you all to know that I appreciate all that the AGA does to
> promote
> > > the hobby, and I understand and agree with every point the two of you
> > made.
> > > I do appreciate the length and detail that your response went into and
> it
> > > shows that you did understand what I was trying to say. I think the
> > contest
> > > is a great forum for aquatic gardeners to proudly show their tanks, and
> > > having five judges this year will definately contribute to the overall
> > > substance of the contest. I can not wait to see this years tanks, as I
> am
> > > sure I will be very impressed.
> > > Thank you both,
> > > Steve Wilson
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > > From: Karen Randall
> > > To: Steve
> > > Cc: AGA Steering Committee
> > > Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 10:37 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Judging the AGA aquascaping contest.
> > >
> > >
> > > Dear Steve,
> > >
> > > First, I want to thank you for communicating your feelings about the AGA
> > > contest.  It is always easier to remain silently discontent than it is
> to
> > > speak out.  Expressing your feelings in the respectful way you have is
> > > always welcome!
> > >
> > > Second, I want you to be aware that the judging of the 2003 contest has
> > > already been completed.  So while your comments will certainly be taken
> > into
> > > consideration, there is no way they can affect the 2003 contest.
> > >
> > > Now, on to the "meat" of your letter.  Please remember that aquascaping
> > > contests are a relatively new phenomenon outside of the Netherlands, and
> > the
> > > criteria used there are far more rigid than ours, as well as being based
> > on
> > > "live" judging rather than photographs of entries.  The AGA 2000 contest
> > > was, as far as I know, the first of its kind.  The first Amano contest
> > > followed closely on its heels.  Now, if you count all the ADA and AGA
> > > contests together, we have a track record of 7 contests over a period of
> 3
> > > years... not very many still!  There have also been a few smaller,
> private
> > > contests during that period of time, but I don't know a whole lot about
> > > them.
> > >
> > > Of those 7 contests, I have had the privilege of judging 5 of them.
> > > Therefore, I probably have more experience with the process than anyone
> > > else.  First, I must tell you that you are correct in your supposition
> > that
> > > judging these contests takes a great deal of time and effort, and there
> is
> > > no remuneration.  Even "recognition" is minimal.<g>  Unlike other
> > > established types of competition, there is, at least so far, no
> "training"
> > > for judges of aquascaping contests.  Even the judging guidelines are
> > > somewhat fluid from year to year... being adjusted as we learn what
> works
> > > best, and what point systems hopefully put the best tanks on top.
> > >
> > > In terms of choosing judges, a lot of time and effort went into deciding
> > > what types of people should be approached to judge.  The first year, at
> > > least one person suggested using people outside of the aquarium hobby;
> > > people with a specific art and design background, but no knowledge of
> > > aquaristics.  While this might sound like a good idea from a strict
> design
> > > perspective, our aquariums, first and foremost, must be healthy,
> > sustainable
> > > habitats for our plants and animals.  It was finally decided that while
> > > artistry was important, it could not be at the expense of sound
> husbandry
> > > practices.  Therefore, the choices were narrowed to those involved with
> > > aquariums, either professionally or as hobbyists.  Ideally we would have
> > > experienced aquarists who also had a good feel for the artistry of
> aquatic
> > > gardening, even if they had no formal training in that area.  With those
> > > thoughts in mind, the organizers of these contests need to use the
> people
> > > they can get.  Overall, I think we've been fortunate with the caliber of
> > > judges we've had for AGA contests.  As I said before, it is a LOT of
> work
> > to
> > > judge these contests, and many people just don't have the time to do it
> > more
> > > than once.  Last year's judges were probably the least experienced team
> of
> > > judges, and I think their comments reflect that.  Still, I'm sure you
> will
> > > agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinions when it comes to
> > art.
> > > I think that we owe it to these people to accept their hard work in the
> > > spirit in which it was offered.  They worked very hard to not only judge
> > the
> > > tanks but also write their comments, whether we agree with them or not.
> > >
> > > I did not judge the AGA contest last year.  I have to agree with you
> that
> > I
> > > would not have placed some of the tanks in the order that they ended up
> > last
> > > year, but I also show horses, and I know there are many times I don't
> > agree
> > > with the judges decisions there either!<g>  It is a fact of life that
> > there
> > > will be differences of opinion.  What is nice about the AGA contest is
> > that
> > > _you_ as a member can go into the site, look at all the same materials
> the
> > > judges saw, and make your own personal decision about which tanks you
> > liked
> > > best. The MAIN point of the AGA aquascaping contest (and the ADA contest
> > as
> > > well, for that matter) is NOT to establish winners and losers, but to
> > share
> > > our love of beautiful aquariums with one another.  There will always be
> > > disagreements about the specific merits of individual tanks.
> > >
> > > I'm sorry you decided not to enter the contest this year.  We have an
> > > excellent, experienced group of judges. (if I do say so myself ;-)  As
> you
> > > said yourself, the quality of tanks in the contest has increased every
> > year,
> > > and you will see yet another increase in quality this year.  We are now
> > > reaching a point where MOST of the tanks entered are truly
> exceptional...
> > to
> > > the point that we are considering the need to add some sort of division
> > > specifically for those who want to share their "just pretty planted fish
> > > tanks" in the future.  We certainly don't want to discourage
> participation
> > > among those who are not, first and foremost, artists!
> > >
> > > Even among those who consistently, year after year, have entered very
> high
> > > quality tanks to the contests there are certainly no guarantees.  One of
> > the
> > > top tanks in the ADA contest, among over 500 entries last year, was
> > > submitted by not only a novice aquatic gardener, but a complete novice
> > > aquarist!  And as an aside, you may be interested in the mechanics of
> > > judging for the ADA contest.  Because of the large number of entries,
> ADA
> > > makes the "first cut" before the entries are even sent to the judges.
> We
> > > only get to see the tanks that the ADA staff has decided to include in
> the
> > > "top 10%" or so.  I have seen MANY tanks in the close to 500 tanks that
> > are
> > > cut from competition that I felt were far better than some that were
> > > included.  At least in the AGA contest, you know that ALL the judges
> were
> > > involved in scoring every single tank.
> > >
> > > While I am glad you voiced your concerns, and I recognize them as valid,
> I
> > > also urge you to join into the spirit of friendly competition which the
> > AGA
> > > Aquascaping Contest is meant to be... Much more a vehicle for sharing
> our
> > > love of this hobby than a path toward individual recognition.  Who
> knows?
> > > Whether you win or not, if you enter, you have the opportunity to share
> > your
> > > work and ideas with hundreds of other aquarists, perhaps inspiring them
> to
> > > greater creativity.  If you don't, you will never know how much of an
> > impact
> > > you might have had!
> > >
> > > I am cc'ing this letter to our AGA board.  This is a small, concerned
> > group
> > > who I am sure will read your comments in the spirit in which they were
> > > intended.  I think it is important for them to hear your feelings too!
> > >
> > > Thank you for writing.  I hope you decide to enter next year... I'd love
> > to
> > > see your tanks!
> > >
> > > Sincerely,
> > >
> > > Karen Randall
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > > From: Steve
> > > To: krandall@rdrcpa.biz
> > > Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 4:19 PM
> > > Subject: Judging the AGA aquascaping contest.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Karen,
> > > For a while now I have wanted to send a message like this one to the AGA
> > > member list @ thekrib.com, but I thought that some may find it
> offensive,
> > > when it should be insightful. I would really like to convey the overall
> > > point of this message to anyone who cares while not offending anyone,
> > which
> > > is why I am sending this to you, a great writer and editor. I became a
> > > member of the AGA at your open house last February which is something I
> > had
> > > wanted to be apart of for quite some time. I have formal training in the
> > > fine arts including but not limited to painting, sculpture, and
> > composition
> > > design. These are a few thoughts I had about the aquascaping contest of
> > > years past.
> > >
> > > I have only been a member of the AGA since February 2003 and I have yet
> to
> > > post on this forum. I have taken much of my aquascaping inspiration from
> > the
> > > aquascaping contest pictures posted on the AGA website. Now I did not
> > enter
> > > the contest this year only because I was less then impressed with the
> > > judging of the 2002 contest. In the 2001 contest the judge's comments
> that
> > > are posted at the bottom of each of the entry page seems to me to be
> > > insightful, and express a critique that basically follows the basic
> > overall
> > > rules of design whether it be painting,sculpture, or aquascape. I really
> > > wanted to submit  a tank for the 2002 contest. Well the 2002 contest
> came
> > > and went and I still had not signed up to be an AGA member.
> > > For me the 2002 AGA aquascaping contest entries were far superior to
> 2001,
> > > but I was really thrown off by the judging technique used. It seems to
> me
> > as
> > > though personal preference of arrangement and species used played a much
> > > greater role in judging then the rules of design. I saw many tanks that
> > were
> > > striving for the "Amano look" with American flare and I think a few had
> > > great success. The use of negative space in the aquascape is difficult
> to
> > > achieve while keeping the aquascape balanced, but when that is achieved
> it
> > > should be rewarded. Also when the judge's comments are suggesting the
> > > addition, subtraction, or relocation of items in the aquarium (aside
> from
> > > equipment) one might try to visualize the tank after those changes and
> > come
> > > to see a tank that looks like every other tank out there. Is there a
> > judging
> > > criteria for originality? I know that judging a contest of this size may
> > not
> > > be easy and the rewards may not be more then recognition, but there are
> > many
> > > different set styles of aquascaping including the eclectic style and all
> > of
> > > these styles are only visually pleasing when they follow the set rules
> of
> > > design not tradition.
> > > I am aware that a judges job is to impart a criticism to find the best
> > > overall composition and I am sure that is what the judges for the 2002
> > > contest were going for. When I look at each picture posted to the
> contest,
> > I
> > > have an immediate overall feeling about the aquascape. Then when I
> further
> > > inspect the aquascape, with the help of additional photos, I am either
> > more
> > > or less fond of the overall composition. This is how I view the entries
> > > after the judging for both 2001 and 2002. It is not until after I figure
> > out
> > > what makes the aquascape a success or not that I read the judges notes.
> > For
> > > 2002 I had disagreements with a majority of the comments and especially
> > with
> > > some of the outcomes. Now I know that the judges have more aquatic
> > gardening
> > > experience and know how then I do and I respect them for it. I mean if
> it
> > > was not for each one of their own personal experiences in aquatic
> > > horticulture, we may not be as advanced as we are with growing aquatic
> > > plants. At the same time we really need to encourage new styles of
> > > aquascaping and not suggest that the eclectic aquascape be changed to be
> > > either Dutch or Amano styles, but rather it's own entity. I would really
> > > like to see the judging get back to the basics of judging the aquascape
> as
> > > it appears in the picture and accepting it for what it is and not what
> we
> > > hope it becomes. I say this because this years contest is surely going
> to
> > be
> > > more difficult to judge the anything in the past and next years contest
> > will
> > > be even more so.
> > > Sincerely,
> > > Steve Wilson
> > >
> > >
> >
> 
> 
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-- 
Erik Olson
erik at thekrib dot com

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