Artifact was the first ballet that William Forsythe created after becoming director of the Frankfurt Ballet in 1984. It has been described as 'a masterpiece' and 'a work that definitively shows Forsythe as the most influential practitioner of the art form since Balanchine' (New York Times). Nearly 30 years after its premiere, Sadler's Wells is proud to present this seminal piece performed by one of Europe's most respected dance companies, Royal Ballet of Flanders. A ballet in four parts, Artifact features music by J.S. Bach and scenography, lighting, costumes and choreography all by William Forsythe. It is famous for the way it subverts the traditional physical principles of ballet and plays with audiences ideas about what ballet can be.