Two places, one time. Germany, Jersey, and the Second World War. It seems strange to juxtapose two simultaneous histories against each other, but as the lens on our Island’s history changes, so do the perspectives of those who tell it. Who do we listen to? How do we listen to them? Why do we need to listen? These are all questions that are increasingly asked by all who celebrate the Liberation of the Channel Islands - and are becoming increasingly important as time progresses, and as the events of 1945 become more historic, and those who lived through them pass away.

‘Two Places: One Time’ is a soundscape that uses field recordings taken within the Island of Jersey, and found sounds associated with small German spa towns like Wurzach. They are knitted together, designed to be almost unrecognisable from each other apart from a few small details. Language, location, and life are designed to be obfuscated within this space, leading the listener to decide from which perspective of history they want to experience the exhibition.

‘Structures & Memory (a place called Wurzach)’ is an exhibition marking the start of Jersey’s official Liberation 80 anniversary programme. Running from Friday 2 May at ArtHouse Jersey at Capital House, the exhibition has been inspired by the memories and experiences of the Jersey deportees who were sent to a prison camp in a small town called Wurzach (now Bad Wurzach) in southern Germany during World War II. Working closely with the St Helier Bad Wurzach Partnerschaft, the exhibition more widely explores the legacy of this extraordinary story encountered by Jersey residents and connects it to enduring experiences of displacement, occupation and reconciliation, both from Jersey and internationally. Structures & Memory (a place called Wurzach) features the work of four Jersey artists - composer Emily de Gruchy, documentary photographer Shan O’Donnell, sculptural and performance artists Oliver Le Gresley and Nicole Sheppard - alongside archival materials collected by the families of deportees to Bad Wurzach during the war.

Two Places: One Time - a soundscape

If you are interested in working with Emily, please email degruchycomposer@gmail.com 🧩💭

Emily has worked with several ensembles & soloists, including the performer-composer Sam Pugh, Terra Invisus, the Carducci Quartet, Sandbox Percussion, the Riot Ensemble, the Hermes Experiment, Transitions Dance Company, the Manchester Contemporary Youth Opera, the Royal Holloway New Music Collective, and the National Centre for Early Music. She has also been commissioned by several cultural organisations, including Jersey Heritage, ArtHouse Jersey and Art for Guernsey.

Born and raised in Jersey, Channel Islands, traditional Jèrriais culture often influences her compositions, providing a unique amalgamation of French and British sonorities. In recent years, her career has moved towards sonic art and soundscapes, which has led her to collaborate with and compose for cultural heritage and charity organisations - something that she enjoys deeply, and has aimed to bring her prior experiences from working with many professional ensembles back home to Jersey.