Z-RAM
(Gallery One)
Spring 1997
© 1997 David Ramsay
Original creation inspired from Kita Amamiya's original illustrations. Techno-organic twist on Bio-organic theme: microchip parasite invades host. All found objects or collected supplies from past years: Corrugated side-split tubing, yarn, netting, vinyl, foam, cheesecloth, drapes & dingleballs and 2-gallons of Sobo. Head is detachable, exposing spinal column and trachea. Sixty-feet of intestines are coiled and stored in the chest cavity: Pepto-colored spandex, fiber-fill, dyed cheesecloth with hand made Mokona (Hikaru Shidou's pet) to be pulled out...
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Inspired from Kita Amamiya's original illustrations.
I wanted to make a creature costume. Kita Amamiya is one of my favorite “creature” artists. His original illustrations are truly amazing works of art. I considered making one of his creatures, Zeiram, in the fall of 1996. My goal for completion would be AnimeExpo 1997. This would be my “first dress” and allow me to work out any potential problems by the following convention, Comic-Con International. Reason 1: Since my previous costumes had been clean and precise with “military” details, I wanted to do something “organic” and visually messy. Zeiram was just the guy. Reason 2: I wanted to give the costume an “edge”... something for the audience. Something, that if only a few people caught it, would make it worth the trouble. Reason 3: I cosplay to have fun, not to “win something.” Believe it if you want to. I actually enjoy performing for an audience. If I get applause, a kudo afterwards in the hall or have my picture taken... that's just a bonus.
Chiphead and torso in progress.
Sixty-feet of Pepto-pink colored intestines - YUM!
People always ask me, "How do you see outta there?"
Kimberly and I decided to join forces and perform “Z-RAM Bytes the Dust” in 1997. This would be an unusual and daring performance, combining two characters from completely different series (yes, a cross-over skit). A sweet, innocent schoolgirl fighting a big, evil monster. Okay, we've heard this one before, BUT we wanted to twist this tale. As Eméril would say: “Kick it up a notch...” We decided that Hikaru would find the strength to decapitate and disembowel her opponent, without a sword. She was on a quest.... searching for her little marshmallow, Mokona - who was munched up by Z-RAM. Remember the tale of Peter and the Wolf? Mokona was tucked away somewhere in 60-feet of Pepto pink intestines, tightly wound up in Z-RAM’s chest cavity.
“Z-RAM Bytes the Dust” is an example of double entendre. A play on words, since my (David's) last name is Ramsay, pronounced "Ram-zee" (Ram-Z... Z-Ram, get it?). Z-RAM was a bio-mechanical creature, with a large, detachable microchip for a head. Five years earlier, for my senior thesis I presented a lecture of my fictional company, “The Ramsay Institute,” which developed smart chips, or Z-RAM chips in the year 2032. This was an extension of my future-tek college work. “Bytes the Dust” refers to poor Z-RAM's demise on stage. “Bytes,” as in computer memory. We had alot of fun with this performance, because people didn't know what to expect. Seeing a schoolgirl cheerfully rip off the monster's head, play with it, pull its guts out like a long jump rope, then proceed to dance with the dying creature... was shocking at the time. Up to this point there had not been many "skits" that combined music, choreography, horror and comedy into a linear story. The success of this performance was due to the buildup of suspense and the dramatic, unexpected turns in its theme. In addition, Comic-Con International is traditionally a Sci-fi/Western comic book convention. There were not that many anime skits to begin with, but even fewer that appealed to an audience on such different levels. We are pleased that people continue to remember our twisted performance and appreciate the hard work we put into it.
"Z-RAM Bytes the Dust" performance at AnimeExpo 1997.
We won "Best of Show" for this wacky performance.
"Z-RAM Bytes the Dust" performance at Comic-Con International 1997.
We won "Best of Show", and four of the nine industry awards.
In the halls at Comic-Con International.
Something itches... thank you!
Z-RAM and Hikaru-chan meet bounty hunter Yuko Moriyama (I.R.I.A.) from Zeiram. Yatta!
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"Z-RAM", "Z-RAM Bytes the Dust", "Z-RAM v.2.5: Mechanical Monster", "Z-RAM v.3.0: The Y2K Bug" and "Z-RAM v.4.0: Z-RAM the Kid" Copyright 1997~2000 David Ramsay and Kimberly J. Ramsay. All rights reserved.
Copyright 1997~2006 David Ramsay and Kimberly J. Ramsay. All rights reserved.
"The Japanese Animation Super Premier Entertainment Review" ,
"the J.A.S.P.E.R." and "theJASPER" logo are trademarks of David Ramsay, 1998~2006.
"theJASPER Cosplay Closet" logo and
"The Cosplay Closet: 'Where Costumes Become Anime-ted' "slogan
are ® Registered Trademarks of David Ramsay, 1999~2001.
David "Z-RAM" Ramsay and Kimberly "Hikaru-chan" J. Ramsay acknowledge the
copyright holders of materials contained herein and do not seek to infringe on their rights.
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