Award-Winning author of 'Love Factually' to visit Jersey
Laura Mucha, author of 'Love Factually: The Science of Who, How & Why we Love' to take part in ArtHouse Jersey's residency scheme
When she was hit by a car aged 29, Laura Mucha decided to change career – having been a solicitor-advocate at an international law firm, she is now an award-winning poet, writer and speaker. Her first book, Love Factually: Who, How and Why We Love, is the result of ten years of interviews with hundreds of strangers aged 8-95 across every continent, together with extensive academic research.
This month Laura will be visiting Jersey as part of a residency with ArtHouse Jersey. Whilst here, she will be delivering two outreach projects with local school-children, introducing them to her work and the world of poetry-writing. ArtHouse Jersey is also hosting two events with Laura which are open to the public.
The workshops for children will take place at the Jersey Library and La Moye School on the 20th and 21st November. Based on themes in Laura's own writing, children will be led to use their imaginations to devise their own poetry.Laura will also be giving an informal talk on the 20th November at the Barclays Eagle Lab, kindly supported by Jersey Library. Laura will be speaking about her book, in which she travelled around the world asking strangers to share their most personal stories. Laura will be sharing her findings, as well as discussing what provoked her career change - from solicitor-advocate at an international law firm to award-winning poet, writer and speaker. Tickets are £9 and include a free drink on arrival. They can be purchased here.
ArtHouse Jersey will also be hosting ‘Feast of Love’ during Laura's visit - a unique dining event with fine food, wine and guided conversation. Tickets are now sold out for this event. Anyone interested in finding out about similar events can sign up to the ArtHouse Jersey newsletter.Laura’s book has been humorously described as ‘a really interesting and proper analysis of the ins and outs of love. Much better and more useful than my film! (Richard Curtis, Director of Love Factually) Based on hundreds of interviews, either recorded or scribbled hastily down on Laura’s trusty notepad, the conversations that Laura shares within her book are intimate, frank and illuminating. Drawing on psychology, philosophy, anthropology and statistics, Love Factually combines evidence, theory and everyday experience and is the perfect read for anyone who is curious about how we think, feel and behave when it comes to love.ArtHouse Jersey often invites artists, writers and other creatives like Laura to the Island to partake in its residency programme. The scheme plays an important role in helping to bring top creative talent to the Island. Whilst here, artists are given the time and space to work on their own projects, but are also asked to consider taking part in events or community outreach work that contributes to ArtHouse Jersey’s programme within the Island.Tom Dingle, Director of ArtHouse Jersey said: “We’re really excited to be welcoming Laura Mucha to Jersey this month. Her book is a clever deep dive into one of life’s most puzzling questions (what is ‘love’?) and we’re looking forward to hosting the workshops for children and two events where Islanders will be able to hear more about the fascinating process that Laura went through to write it. ArtHouse Jersey is working to bring talented, exciting artists and creatives like Laura to the Jersey and we hope that Islanders will be interested to hear more about this side of our organisation.”