Metropolis is a fabric-based installation composed of pleated calico marked with paint over three stages, capturing the movements of students as they navigated through a calico-covered space. Participants documented their tracks in paint applied to their shoes, hands, bodies and mobility aids. These tracks, layered across the surface, form a dynamic record of embodied encounters with access, revealed through motion and interaction. Following the marking process, Rachel painstakingly pleated and assembled dozens of fabric pieces into a single, cohesive form. revealing and concealing the print. Displayed in the RMIT building’s window above the stairs, the installation provokes conversation about accessibility and movement within urban spaces, offering a striking visual experience from multiple perspectives.

Collide worked closely with Rachel Shugg to undertake the fabrication and installation of Metropolis, guiding the transition of her studio-based practice into a large-scale permanent public artwork. Our role included facilitating material preparation, coordinating logistics, and ensuring the structural integrity of the pleated fabric. We navigated the complexities of installing the work within RMIT, managing site requirements, liaising with internal teams, and overseeing technical aspects such as mounting and display.