“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