The Scottish collector and property developer David Roberts is expanding his foundation headquarters in north London, with a new space dedicated to performance art. The new “live projects” annex is due to open at the Camden-based venue, which launched in 2012, in September.
“The expansion occupies a 250 sq. m converted industrial loft with original wooden rafters within the London building of the David Roberts Art Foundation (Draf),” says a statement. Performances by the London-based artist Alex Baczynski-Jenkins, and the UK premiere of choreographer Stina Nyberg’s Splendour, 2014, are scheduled to take place at the opening on 24 September.
Meanwhile, in a recent interview published in a magazine produced by the Hauser & Wirth gallery, Roberts said that he is looking to extend the foundation’s activities beyond London. “At Draf, the team are currently working on a possible programme of projects in various regions in the UK with less exposure to contemporary art: potential pop-up shows and one-off performances and screenings,” he said. A foundation spokeswoman adds, however, that there are “no concrete plans as yet”.
During London’s Frieze week in October, Draf will present its annual Evening of Performances with commissions by the German artist John Bock and the Swiss choreographer Alexandra Bachzetsis.