A video projection and immersive soundscape is mapping the emergence of language in Jersey at Town Church.

The installation succeeds the first edition of 'The Sound of Colour: Origins (2021)' which also completely transformed St Helier Town Church with projection and soundscapes.

'The Sound of Colour: Arrivals' features visuals by international artist Akhila Krishan and a soundscape by the Jersey electroacoustic composer Sarah Keirle-Dos Santos.

Visual artist Akhila Krishan said: "This venue is a gift of a space, we projection map the roof of the church and it transforms the space in a surprising and immersive way.

"I visited sites in Jersey and thought about how to best bring them into the space. If you are from Jersey - and sometimes I feel like I am because I've been here so many times and I really love working here - it would make you feel really proud of the island, the people that live here and its culture and history."

The projection on the ceiling of the nave (Credit: Robbie Dark)

Sarah Keirle-Dos Santos said: "It's totally immersive, that was really important for me. If you come and watch this I recommend you sit in the middle so you can hear the sound moving around you.

"For example, it starts in a Neolithic cave and you can hear the drips and rocky noises all around you, it really feels like you're in the space which is massively helped by the breath-taking visuals above you."

The piece is co-authored and produced by Natasha Dettman for ArtHouse Jersey. She said, "The research was extensive, we worked with local knowledge holders and groups of people.

"We enlisted the help of islanders to read texts and sing songs for us that illustrate the different languages. 

"It's projecting onto the ceiling of the nave. You can sit anywhere, lie on the ground if you like, sit on a deckchair or move around the space, the sound is an eight-channel space sound installation so you can move around and tune in to the different speakers."

(Credit: Robbie Dark)

'Arrivals' explores the emergence of language in Jersey, from the whisperings of the Magdalenian people of the late Stone Age, the Iron Age Celts of Gaul, the Romans, the Franks, and the Normans to the appearance of our native language Jèrriais. 

Viewers eventually find themselves in present-day Jersey, where the sounds of modern English, French, Portuguese, Polish, Romanian, Swahili, Filipino and many more languages can be heard.

Opening times are Monday to Friday 10:30am to 6pm, Saturday 10:30am to 7pm and Sunday 1pm to 6pm. It is a free entry event where the piece will continue to play throughout the day.