Inspired by the history of the Market Cross building, in particular its use as a space for local dances in the mid 20th century, Bury St Edmunds Art Gallery features the work of four contemporary artists who consider the theme of dance through the spectacle of performance and in various collaborations between artists, choreographers, dancers and spectators.

BILLY COWIE
in the flesh 7 – 31 May

In the Flesh is the enthralling and hypnotic new film by composer and filmmaker Billy Cowie. Experience this magical dance screen installation wearing 3-D glasses and you will witness a dancer come to life, appearing to be alongside you in the space, solid and real; in effect, she is there ‘in the flesh’. At the end of her four minute dance she fades into nothing.

In the Flesh premiered at the Paradiso Club in July 2007 as part of the Cinedans Festival in Amsterdam. During May In the Flesh can also be seen at the Brighton Festival and Glasgow Tramway.

LINDA FLORENCE
sugar dance 6 May, 6 – 9pm (performance starts 7pm)

With a fine dusting of icing sugar to stencil her intricate patterns, designer Linda Florence has attracted much attention recently for her magical dance floors. Bury St Edmunds Art Gallery is pleased to present this unique work with dance performances on a special opening night to celebrate our ‘focus on dance’ throughout May.

Come along and see Sugar Dance at the Gallery where it will remain, transformed by the dance steps of the opening night performance, until Saturday 10 May.

icing sugar very kindly donated by Silver Spoon

MORTEN NILSSON
dancers 7 – 31 May

The glamour of ballroom dancing is offset by the trials and tribulations of growing up in this exhibition of photographs by the Danish artist Morten Nilsson. Nilsson is drawn to his subjects primarily because of their clothes, make-up and teenage angst: "It's about basic training in being a perfect adult - a perfect gentleman or a real lady princess. But as with most teenagers - the teenage imperfection and diversity breaks through even the most perfect surface here and there. Though they try, they can't hide that they are teenagers. And it's these collisions I am looking for."

Morten Nilsson’s Dancers is a Ffotogallery, Cardiff exhibition, courtesy of the artist.

OONA RICHARDS
backstage at the ballet 7 – 31 May

Triggered by the passing viewer, Backstage at the Ballet stirs into a graceful yet awkward performance as it combines the elegance of balletic dance steps with the protracted, often torturous act of acquiring, practicing and accomplishing complicated techniques.

This automated sculptural construction is the work of emerging artist Oona Richards. Richards is a member of the Derby-based art collective Morph Dynamic Creatives and her work has recently been exhibited at Derby Museums & Art Gallery