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In Pictures: BA Textile Design students create 50-person climate justice sculpture

A line of people in joined suits stretches into the distance as they cross a bridge towards the Houses of Parliament in the distance.

Written bySarah McLean
Published date 01 December 2021

On Wednesday 10 November, staff, students, alumni and the public made their way to Chelsea College of Arts’ Parade Ground to join the Parade for Climate Justice. This event was part of the UAL Carnival of Crisis, a series of activities, actions and workshops which coincided with COP26, demonstrating that the arts can – and must – respond to the climate and ecological emergency.

Taking part in the action were BA Textile Design students, who presented a new activation of Nexus Architecture, a ‘social sculpture’ in the form a conjoined garment by Professor Lucy Orta.

A line of people wearing boilersuits which are all joined together parade in a winding chainacross a large open-air space with a grass area and a paved area. — **BA Textile Design students activate Nexus Architecture at the Parade for Climate Justice at Chelsea College of Arts on 10 November 2021.**
| Photograph: Lori Demata

This incarnation of Nexus Architecture started life as 50 blank-canvas overalls which were customised by BA Textile Design students in simultaneous workshops with their peers at The Glasgow School of Art. To activate the piece, each of these unique suits was then joined to at least one other, connecting the wearers in a network. The resulting garment represented an interconnected chain of solidarity from Glasgow – the location of COP26 – to London.

Following the Parade at Chelsea College of Arts, the students took the 50-person sculpture past central London locations such as Tate Britain and the Houses of Parliament in a demonstration of the interdependence between people and the importance of collective action in the face of climate emergency.

If you missed the Parade for Climate Justice, you can catch up on a live stream of the day’s activities on the UAL Climate Emergency Network's Twitter page.

A line of people wearing boilersuits which are all joined together parade in a line across a large open-air space with some grass areas and some paved areas. One of the college buildings - large, red brick and old - is in the background. — **BA Textile Design students activate Nexus Architecture at the Parade for Climate Justice at Chelsea College of Arts on 10 November 2021.**
| Photograph: Lori Demata

A row of lots of boiler suits hanging up, each one differently customised with colour, printing and text. — **Customised Nexus Architecture suits.**
| Photograph: Lori Demata

Four people standing in a line wearing customised boiler suits with hoods. — **BA Textile Design students at the Parade for Climate Justice.**
| Photograph: Lori Demata

a line of people wearing connected suits in different colours stands outside Tate Britain's front steps which lead up to the gallery's columned entrance. — **Nexus Architecture outside Tate Britain.**
| Photograph: Lori Demata

A line of people wearing boilersuits which are all joined together standing on the south bank of the Thames with the Houses of Parliament visible in the background. — **BA Textile Design students take Nexus Architecture past the Houses of Parliament.**
| Photograph: Lori Demata

Four people, part of a larger chain, wearing joined suits walk on a city street past an old wall and ornate gate. — **BA Textile Design students passing the Houses of Parliament.**
| Photograph: Lori Demata

In the distance you can see a long line of people wearing connected suits walking across a grassy park. Behind them you can see a large old building, part of the Houses of Parliament. — **Nexus Architecture in Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster.**
| Photograph: Lori Demata

A line of people in uniquely-customised suits connected together, standing in a park. — **BA Textile Design students in Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster, London.**
| Photograph: Lori Demata

Find out more about BA Textile Design
Find out more about the UAL Climate Emergency Network

In Pictures: BA Textile Design students create 50-person climate justice sculpture

Chelsea College of Arts

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