“The opening of Michael Vusumuzi’s Sculpture was on the 12/3/09 at the Dehaviland Campus of Hatfield University. In attendance was all the other entrance to the Competition as well as some VIPs from the University of Hertfordshire along with the stand in mayor and local councillor.  

The Sculpture was manufactured at Birch Engineering in Herts with the artist also accompanying the build. Raw components were sourced from a local Scrap metal merchants including Brake Discs Suspension and actual engine blocks that were stripped down to minimise weight issues. the design of the piece was created by the artist Michael Vusumuzi who is currently an arts student at the University.

 The specification of the piece was entirely at the artists own discretion and was judged by a panel.

Consisting of Simeon Lockhart Nelson. Patricia Bryan, John Proctor, and the former dean of Creative Cultural Industries.

All the Entries were of a high standard but one that stood out was a model of the tree that was created to scale by Michael. Along with what his interpretation of what the Lungs of the World are! Along with the model poems and other pieces of Artwork produced by Michael impressed the judges. And so was decided the finalist.

 The work commenced on the Art piece in Sept 2008 with the first production drawings being issued for manufacture of the leaf designs. Which were laser cut In house by Birch Engineering. Consisting of different sizes and design patterns each one varying in profile. The standard mounting of the design would be made of a spigot welded to a column with a support gusset made up. The actual engine mounts were custom built by BIRCH ENGINEERING. Along with safety cable attached to each piece.

 The design could not Exceed 350Kg and this was closely monitored throughout the design process. Once the fabrication was complete foundations were then designed and issued to the Estates department of the Herts University for construction. As well as an agreed location of the piece. They found that the Dehaviland campus was the best location. And subsequently was the first piece of artwork to be commissioned for the site since the Campus was opened.

Lungs of the world sculpture with Michael

From Left to Right VIP’s & Guests in this picture, see below:

VIP's & Guests unveil Lungs of the world sculpture

David Marques (Director Of C.U. Phosco),  Unknown, Steven Hymas (Project Engineer, Birch Engineering) Nigel Brook (Chair of the County Council) Michael Vusumuzi (artist) Chris McIntyre (Formally Dean Of Creative Cultural Industries), Jason Marques (C.U.Phosco Project Manager), Professor Simeon Lockhart Nelson (Associate Head of Sculpture at Hertford University), John Proctor (General Manager Birch Engineering) and Patricia Bryan (Project Development Officer and Arts Consultant).

Please see  below some more pictures from the unveiling of Lungs of the  World sculpture structure, build by Birch Engineers:

Cutting the Ribbon for the new sculpture stucture

Plaque for the new sculpture stucture

The Lungs of the world sculpture stucture

The Hertford University sculpture award, was won by  Micheal Vusamuzi Mlambo’s Artwork and developed and sponsored by local hertfordshire engineering company Birch Engineers!!!!

See below for a pictorial guide on how the Lungs of the World artwork was created by Birch Engineering:

Lungs of the world

 

 

 

Lungs of the world

 

Lungs of the world made by Birch Engineering

It has now been agreed the location of the new sculpture, which will be erected on the new Dehaviland Campus. It was due to be erected ready for the start of term 29th of September. This now looks more likely to be October/November.

MY LIFE

WE ARE PART OF NATURE

AND

NATURE IS GOOD FOR US.

NATURE SUCH AS TREES AND ANIMALS

AND

INSECTS, REPTILES, BIRDS, ETCETERA

AND

WATER, WIND, …..ALL MATTER REALLY

AND

SUNSHINE OF COURSE !!!!!

TREES ARE THE LUNGS OF THE WORLD !!!!

TO PLANT AND TO PRESERVE TREES

IS TO LOVE NATURE!!!!!

SAVE A TREE, SAVE NATURE !!!!!!

TREES ARE LIFE !!!

TREES ARE LIFE !!!

TREES ARE LIFE !!!

TREES …… LIFE !!!

LIFE …… TREES !!!

YES ….. LIFE !!!

Words by Vusumuzi Michael Mlambo.

 

Other Works By Vusumuzi

 Vusumuzi woodcarvings.

 

 

In April Birch Engineering launched a competition alongside the Universtity of Hertford for design students to create a sculpture. the winning piece to be placed in the grounds of the University and all the manufacturing completed by Birch Engineering. The Prize went to Vusumuzi Michael Mlambo.

The Concept.

My sculpture proposal adresses the global issues of green-house gases, damage to the environment, global warming and the dependence of human beings in technology.  The Sculpture suggests that the human race is losing nature at the expense of technology and that life in general is under threat.  The Sculpture also presents the optional solution that if human beings stop and think, it is not yet too late, there is another chance.

The Sculpture.

The Sculpture is an image of withering tree that has fruit. the top half of the tree is almost completely dead.  The bottom half of the tree is still very green, strong and alive.  The tree has a lot of fruit: it almost looks as though it is overloaded.

Materials and Fabrication.

The tree is made of metals, hard metal for the stem, if possible, so that it will rust and blend with the rest of the trees and the soft or thin metals for the leaves. the fruits are made of motor and engine parts i have already spoken with Hemel Hempstead Car Breakers and they are willing to donate scrap parts in support of this project.