
Ministry of Justice Artwork
Realising the Artistic Vision of Nathaniel Rackowe
Customer: Nathaniel Rackowe / Ministry of Justice Artwork
Project: Mechanical panel LP13
Services Provided: Engineering Services to Realise the Artists Vision – Mechanical and Control System Design – Programming – Quality of Finish – Manufacturing – Assembly – Installation

The artist Nathaniel Rackowe was commissioned by the Government Art Collection to provide a major artwork to be installed in the foyer of the Ministry of Justice building in central London. ETS Design worked closely with the artist from the concept stage and was able to help him in creating a striking piece of work.
The artwork consists of three parts, each made up of a rectangular structure containing either six or ten pairs of rotating panels with a single fluorescent tube in the centre of each pair. The panels rotate together from their starting position, side-on, through 90 degrees to display the left panel and then back through 180 degrees to display the right panel.
To ensure that the panels moved together they are synchronised mechanically within each set, and the sets are linked by an RF communication module.
In order to meet the requirements of the artist, the mechanism and control system had to be hidden in the base and be completely silent, and all parts had to be finished to a very high standard. Because the work was in a public space, safety systems were built in to prevent any trapping hazards.




