Ruby Rhod

“Korben sweetheart, what was that? It was BAD! It had no fire, no energy, no nothing! Y'know I got a Show to run here, and it must pop POP POP! So tomorrow from 5 to 7 will you PLEASE act like you have more than a two word vocabulary. It must be green, okay?”

So the first art print in the Fifth Element collection is that of the character Ruby Rhod, a divisive personality that it seems people love or hate. 

Ruby Rhod is a famous host of a 2 hour radio show with over 50 billion listeners in all the federated territories, he must be hot, hot, hot!

In yesterday's blog (here) I briefly said how the collection is a bit of a happy accident. I haven't been a huge fan of the film, that was until recently. Upon its first release to me, it was a bit meh, very over the top and all a bit silly. However, I happened to sit down and give it another go and actually found myself having a good time. It's still silly and cartoonish but that's part of the fun and makes it stand out from the more serious or bombastic Sci-fi movies around during the time. 

I'll go more into the other aspects of the movie next week, so for now let's concentrate on the character Ruby Rhods and the influence of Jean Paul Gaultier. The crazy, zany performances and ideas that were on the screen seen through my older eyes now show the satire that was there all along. The annoyance of Chris Tucker's performance now seems more relevant today with the growth of Tik Tok and YT social media ‘stars’. 

Each of the 900 costumes used by extras in the Fhloston Paradise sequences was created by Gaultier, who also double-checked each outfit every morning. His "intellectually subversive" designs allegedly challenged gender and sexuality expectations. One single jacket cost $5,000 and some of the most flamboyant costumes including a leopard print jumpsuit were worn by Chris Tucker as Ruby Rhods. “The Fifth Element.” “It made me nervous--a lot. I went places I never thought I'd do. But that's my job as an actor” the actor said about the role. 

Gaultier's brilliance was in collaborative world-building, imbuing the 23rd century earth with fashion overtones emblematic of Gaultier's signature attention to details, social satire is reflected in the costume design.

Played by Chris tucker, the character was inspired by Prince but dialled up to 11. Quite a flamboyant and obnoxious personality but that makes an excellent foil to Bruce Willis's dry humour. 

You Green? get yours here

This artwork of the bigger-than-big star from The Fifth Element was created first as a sketch, then later it was then digitally transferred. DP inked and then coloured finally printed via Giclee.  

Available in new 8", 12” or 20” Giclee prints on 310gsm material.

Kirk Evans

'Ruby Rhod' was created on August 7th 2022

- Limited to 50 copies

- Printed using Giclee and Hahnemühle German Etching 310 (gsm) paper for a superior handmade feel.

-Includes 1" border for mounting.