Unlike unrealized architectural projects, which are frequently exhibited and circulated, unrealized artworks tend to remain unnoticed or little known. But perhaps there is another form of artistic agency in the partial expression, the incomplete idea, the projection of a mere intention? Agency of Unrealized Projects (AUP) seeks to document and display these works. Whether censored, forgotten, postponed, impossible, or rejected, unrealized projects form a unique testament to the speculative power of non-action.

AUP follows the publication entitled “Unbuilt Roads: 107 Unrealized Projects,” collated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Guy Tortosa after several years of international research conducted in the late 1990s. Twenty years later, the Agency of Unrealized Projects was formed in collaboration with Julieta Aranda and Anton Vidokle, and an open call for unrealized projects was issued for its first public exhibition at ArtBasel in 2011. The open call will continue until all unrealized art projects are compiled.

654 THINGS from The United States - Edward Ruscha

Right-of-Privacy Release - Tony Oursler

Projet pour la Place Saint Léger à Chambery  - Erik Dietman

Untitled, modeled after the Leipzig Völkerschlachtdenkmal...  - Jenny Holzer

The pyramids...to be seen to be believed - Jonathan Monk

A House of Dust - Alison Knowles

PROJEKT - Ulrich Rückreim

Der New-Babyloner - Constant

Post Photographic apparatus - Steven Pippin

Progetto per Gerry Schum - Guiseppe Penone

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
#
Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
U9752
01.01.1997
The bridge according to Jeong-a's dream - Koo Jeong
Unbuilt Roads
round bridge in the middle of the sea to be approached by boat ...
round bridge in the middle of the sea to be approached by boat ...
W10596
18.10.2012
La clinique - Serge
WWW
contemporary visual art productions do create a fusion & annihilation of passions? After several filmed phone calls to selected random people, the main idea here was to build an anti-dialectical frame, so as to separate a speech of an image that are re ...
contemporary visual art productions do create a fusion & annihilation of passions? After several filmed phone calls to selected random people, the main idea here was to build an anti-dialectical frame, so as to separate a speech of an image that are re ...
W4338
24.05.2011
Untitled (Paper Cuts), - Raluca Popa
WWW
RALUCA POPA Untitled (Paper Cuts), paper, glue, dimensions variable (2011) No one to talk. This work is in progress. This work addresses the subject of failure – the failure of the object and the failure of the event. This work might create ...
RALUCA POPA Untitled (Paper Cuts), paper, glue, dimensions variable (2011) No one to talk. This work is in progress. This work addresses the subject of failure – the failure of the object and the failure of the event. This work might create ...
W3630
14.05.2011
an excerpt from one of my abandoned writing projects  - Chad Dawkins
WWW
But everything is flawed. Everything is dirty, broken, missing pieces, damaged, too cold or hot, flimsy, smells, quits working. Everything produces an unpleasant sound. Nothing is as powerful as the possibility of impending public humiliation. It really b ...
But everything is flawed. Everything is dirty, broken, missing pieces, damaged, too cold or hot, flimsy, smells, quits working. Everything produces an unpleasant sound. Nothing is as powerful as the possibility of impending public humiliation. It really b ...
U9731
01.01.1988
Tower Cranes, Paris  - Tadashi Kawamata
Unbuilt Roads
Please see the enclosed leaflet· "Tower Crane, Paris" (eventually reasons why the work has not been realised) Financial, technical and organisation problems Previous Publications (?) Enclosed ...
Please see the enclosed leaflet· "Tower Crane, Paris" (eventually reasons why the work has not been realised) Financial, technical and organisation problems Previous Publications (?) Enclosed ...
W4465
25.05.2011
ExoMars - Lyn Hagan
WWW
The European Space Agency (ESA) currently runs a space exploration programme called Aurora which includes a planned robotic mission to the surface of Mars. The ExoMars rover will be sent in 2018 to gather and analyse data they receive and includes a nu ...
The European Space Agency (ESA) currently runs a space exploration programme called Aurora which includes a planned robotic mission to the surface of Mars. The ExoMars rover will be sent in 2018 to gather and analyse data they receive and includes a nu ...
W3793
18.05.2011
Bathhaus - Guillermo Creus
WWW
This project was originally submitted to De Appel Curatorial Programme and was rejected in its original format (my original idea was to have the project proposal to be the project in itself). Freida Abtan, Peter Dobill and Aïda Ruilova. Curated by ...
This project was originally submitted to De Appel Curatorial Programme and was rejected in its original format (my original idea was to have the project proposal to be the project in itself). Freida Abtan, Peter Dobill and Aïda Ruilova. Curated by ...
W5280
15.10.2012
Hypermoi - David Guez
WWW
THE HYPERMOI David Guez http://www.guez.org Introduction The Hypermoi sets the hypothesis of the existence of a 'numerical ego' linked up to the internet network. This special ego would be a construction linked to our more and more 'emotional' and 'intens ...
THE HYPERMOI David Guez http://www.guez.org Introduction The Hypermoi sets the hypothesis of the existence of a 'numerical ego' linked up to the internet network. This special ego would be a construction linked to our more and more 'emotional' and 'intens ...
W5169
26.09.2012
The winnipeg free museum  - Kendra Place
WWW
The winnipeg free museum (2009–2010) was an impossible, dividual artists' project. If Museums are being built as walled inspiration, promising experience and claiming to face the (carceral/) future, would the non-built or dematerialized, situated within ...
The winnipeg free museum (2009–2010) was an impossible, dividual artists' project. If Museums are being built as walled inspiration, promising experience and claiming to face the (carceral/) future, would the non-built or dematerialized, situated within ...
W4086
23.05.2011
Revolution Tree - Grace Weir
WWW
Revolution Tree consists of the siting of a large mature Oak tree, where its rootball is planted in a purpose built container that is extremely slowly continuously revolving. The container and all mechanics are hidden underground and the work is completel ...
Revolution Tree consists of the siting of a large mature Oak tree, where its rootball is planted in a purpose built container that is extremely slowly continuously revolving. The container and all mechanics are hidden underground and the work is completel ...
W4167
24.05.2011
Outopia - Eloise Kirk
WWW
Outopia ‘Outopia’ (meaning no place) is an on-going, fragmented project based on a fictional landscape. This landscape is neither here nor there; it exists only as representation of the internal self, in perpetual relation with the world. ...
Outopia ‘Outopia’ (meaning no place) is an on-going, fragmented project based on a fictional landscape. This landscape is neither here nor there; it exists only as representation of the internal self, in perpetual relation with the world. ...
W10444
23.04.2014
Glass Tower 50 - Sean Scully
WWW
Glass Tower 50, 2014 is constructed of fifty glass panels. The slabs of glass are roughly cut on their edges allowing spaces between the layers enabling light and air to enter the work. This design gives it a sense of weightlessness, as a counter point ...
Glass Tower 50, 2014 is constructed of fifty glass panels. The slabs of glass are roughly cut on their edges allowing spaces between the layers enabling light and air to enter the work. This design gives it a sense of weightlessness, as a counter point ...
W4719
26.05.2011
We Might Be Snowmakers - Glacial Risk Management Institute (GRMI): Angela Ellsworth and Leigh McCarthy
WWW
Glacial Risk Management Institute (GRMI): Angela Ellsworth and Leigh McCarthy Title: We Might Be Snowmakers In order to slow or reverse the retreat of glaciers, the GRMI proposes setting up large-scale snow blowers to increase the size of Europe’s la ...
Glacial Risk Management Institute (GRMI): Angela Ellsworth and Leigh McCarthy Title: We Might Be Snowmakers In order to slow or reverse the retreat of glaciers, the GRMI proposes setting up large-scale snow blowers to increase the size of Europe’s la ...
U9913
01.01.1974
654 THINGS from The United States - Edward Ruscha
Unbuilt Roads
This was a proposal for the Defense Urban Development area in the city of Paris. The work, which takes on the appearance of a monument, would consist of stone or marble plates, bolted together to create a weather proof box-shaped container, housing shelve ...
This was a proposal for the Defense Urban Development area in the city of Paris. The work, which takes on the appearance of a monument, would consist of stone or marble plates, bolted together to create a weather proof box-shaped container, housing shelve ...
W3826
19.05.2011
CrossSpot  - Tomasz Domanski
WWW
The work I called CrossSpot is a new project . I will try to place it outdoor in the town (Wroclaw) in the area of so called four temples. In one city district there are situated one synagogue, one orthodox Russian, catholic and protestant churches. ...
The work I called CrossSpot is a new project . I will try to place it outdoor in the town (Wroclaw) in the area of so called four temples. In one city district there are situated one synagogue, one orthodox Russian, catholic and protestant churches. ...
W4599
25.05.2011
Oh Buck, horse heartbreak - Bethany Fancher
WWW
Oh Buck, horse heartbreak Posted by Bethany Jean at 6/11/2008 11:43 AM Categories: horse travel Well, circumstances don't provide enough time for Buck to feel ok being in a trailer. Karin's job ended early and it is time to go. Buck is staying on the ...
Oh Buck, horse heartbreak Posted by Bethany Jean at 6/11/2008 11:43 AM Categories: horse travel Well, circumstances don't provide enough time for Buck to feel ok being in a trailer. Karin's job ended early and it is time to go. Buck is staying on the ...
W5058
03.09.2012
Tabakalera - Taller Basico de Arquitectura [TBA]
WWW
Tabakalera (2008) LE VOYAGE DANS LA LUNE The trip Us astronomers, motivated by our curiosity and thirst of knowledge, we have design a capsule – the golden room- that will enable us to discover other realities. The great event takes place, finally, a ...
Tabakalera (2008) LE VOYAGE DANS LA LUNE The trip Us astronomers, motivated by our curiosity and thirst of knowledge, we have design a capsule – the golden room- that will enable us to discover other realities. The great event takes place, finally, a ...
W4903
13.08.2012
Round Table - Raoul Marek
WWW
The “freedom and democracy monument” is designed in the shape of an oversized transparent round table: People make use of the elements of that round table by their presence and help bring life into it.The round table is the symbol of the democratic id ...
The “freedom and democracy monument” is designed in the shape of an oversized transparent round table: People make use of the elements of that round table by their presence and help bring life into it.The round table is the symbol of the democratic id ...
W5215
06.10.2012
The Modern Book of Cynics - Luc Messinezis
WWW
I read and at the same time I hear a voice in my head; words about humanity's achievements, of human rights and our unsheathing from the beast. But the voice in my head narrates something different making it impossible to comprehend the exact meaning of t ...
I read and at the same time I hear a voice in my head; words about humanity's achievements, of human rights and our unsheathing from the beast. But the voice in my head narrates something different making it impossible to comprehend the exact meaning of t ...
W5177
27.09.2012
Sun Transmitters  - Boris Oicherman
WWW
Sun Transmitters Unrealized project Boris Oicherman Old Jaffa port is used mainly by the fishermen. It is a popular area populated by restaurants, bars and art galleries. One of the buildings on the southern side of Jaffa port (marked by black on the sche ...
Sun Transmitters Unrealized project Boris Oicherman Old Jaffa port is used mainly by the fishermen. It is a popular area populated by restaurants, bars and art galleries. One of the buildings on the southern side of Jaffa port (marked by black on the sche ...
W3875
19.05.2011
TERRITORY: Bank parking lot mural Canada - Derek Michael Besant
WWW
Client: Bank of Nova Scotia / Canada Date: 2010 Industrial UV ink imaging applications to large-scale alucobond curtainwall sheets at second storey level attached in sections that create a narrative of: • Out-of-focus faces • Everyday objects ...
Client: Bank of Nova Scotia / Canada Date: 2010 Industrial UV ink imaging applications to large-scale alucobond curtainwall sheets at second storey level attached in sections that create a narrative of: • Out-of-focus faces • Everyday objects ...
W4155
23.05.2011
Got to the Studio - Oli Sorenson
WWW
The “Got to the Studio” series is a yet-to-be realised project, recording several failed attempts to make a masterpiece, or similar great work of art, either through lack of talent or simple laziness. ...
The “Got to the Studio” series is a yet-to-be realised project, recording several failed attempts to make a masterpiece, or similar great work of art, either through lack of talent or simple laziness. ...
W4314
24.05.2011
Unfinished Projects - Catarina Alexandra Costa Cubelo Morais
WWW
Unfinished Projects This project is about sound and comunication It is also about the nervous consequences that came with the repetition of the same type of sound, which at first cause a strangeness and annoyance, and then the questioning of the phen ...
Unfinished Projects This project is about sound and comunication It is also about the nervous consequences that came with the repetition of the same type of sound, which at first cause a strangeness and annoyance, and then the questioning of the phen ...
U9793
01.01.1997
Isometric Projection - Sol Lewitt
Unbuilt Roads
W5475
21.10.2012
FROM RAPHAEL TO MOHAMED - Mo Abd-Ulla
WWW
The transformation of aesthetics and politics A practical research explicitly distinguishes between what is beautiful and what is interesting, exploring the differences between representation and reality. The project tackles the religious, social, c ...
The transformation of aesthetics and politics A practical research explicitly distinguishes between what is beautiful and what is interesting, exploring the differences between representation and reality. The project tackles the religious, social, c ...
W4618
25.05.2011
L’Auditorium A,  - DEHOVE Claire
WWW
L’Auditorium A, Dans sa proximité se construit aujourd’hui l’un des derniers tronçons autorou- tiers. Si cette construction a défiguré le paysage naturel en laissant des cicatrices indélébiles dans la terre et la végétation, si elle a occa ...
L’Auditorium A, Dans sa proximité se construit aujourd’hui l’un des derniers tronçons autorou- tiers. Si cette construction a défiguré le paysage naturel en laissant des cicatrices indélébiles dans la terre et la végétation, si elle a occa ...