Paul Munro

I was wondering what peoples thoughts were on what I regard as 'silly names' for an aquascape?

I suppose Mr. Amano started this trend off, though it seems to me that these names come from a particular inspiration; a case study or a habitat (in his case).

Though for many it seems, these names are made up for the sake of naming, without explanation or even inspiration, and as a product of a finished piece, NOT from the original intent.

I think these 'silly names' often undermine the skill and creativity put into a setup. Like in architecture, not every building is named. Did u name your house too?

Just my opinion, what do you think?

DonaldmBoyer

I don't name any of mine because I don't consider aquascaping to be an "art" form. It would be like me naming my landscaping outside my house with a title, which is a little strange to me.

However, as this point has been ABSOLUTELY BEATEN AND KILLED DEAD, I don't have a problem with other people who believe that aquascaping is an art form, and hence, deserves a title.

Jessie

I named my car Lucy, my tank is named "Oh Please Will You Cooperate with Me", and my apartment complex is named "Study in Deserted Dog Poop."

I'm neutral on the concept of aquascaping being an art form. Being an "artist" myself in other fields, I am inclined to find the art in creating a well executed and visually appealing planted tank. Much of traditional art is based on composition, and much of a beautiful aquarium is based on composition as well. Sometimes I think many of the names given to tanks are silly merely because it can sometimes seem that the owner picked a random word from the dictionary to look smart. Other times, I believe names are very fitting because they convey the "mood" and atmosphere of the finished product. Like tanks that are created to interpret a specific place in nature, those make sense.

Dryn

Anything done well can be called art.

"Even death can be art, and he is working on his masterpiece." - from a denzel washington movie.

DonaldmBoyer

That's retarded, Dryn! HA! What a quote! Which movie was that from?

mikenas102

OMG I was going to start a thread exactly like this one! I think naming a tank is incredibly corny. I'm going to name my next tank journal "Tank Names Are Stupid".

houseofcards

Of course it's an art!

Defintion of Art Webster's Dictionary
'skill acquired by experience, study, or observation'

In this sense walking your dog to his favorite bathroom without stepping in shi_ is art. If your asking if it's a fine art:

Definition of Fine Art Webster's Dictionary
'art (as painting, sculpture, or music) concerned primarily with the creation of beautiful objects' that's another matter. I personally believe it has evolved to that.

Mellonman

How could aquascaping not be an art since our main goal is to create something with the highest possible aesthetical value ?
Creating something to please our eyes can only be called art in my opinion, even if the result looks bad

And I'm not fond of naming tanks either, but I do it because it is required in all contests.

messy_da_legend

I named my tank "At Forest's Gate" right from the outset as that's what I intended to produce - an aquarium that resembled the edge of a forest. I think sometimes the names fit and are helpful for you to understand the aquascaper's intensions, but for general "ooo that looks nice" scapes that have no inspiraiton or meaning, name's aren't always appropriate IMO.

Tom

DonaldmBoyer

Mellonman--

My main objective is to do something that is relaxing to me, not necessarily look pretty for everyone else. I don't find Picasso to be "aesthetically pleasing".....so why is he considered to be a great artist? Perhaps it is because he offered something original and unique in style, which (IMO) is something that is lacking here at times.

We are treading dangerously close to that line of "is this art, or a hobby?" topic again! It is only a matter of time now.