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.

Nicht realisierte Projekte - Stefan Demary

Project tor the Veterans Administration Hospital--Bay Pines, Florida. - Robert Morris

Douglas Gordon - 5 year drive-by; proposal for a public artwork.

Jake and Dinos Chapman's five proposals for an empty plinth situated on central londons trafalgar square - Jake and Dinos Chapman

Broadway Musicals - Christian Marclay

Merci, Thank you, Danke: Les 2 sujets  - Thomas Hirschorn

den anonymen Tod ausstellen - Gregor Schneider

Projets non réalisés: - Daniel Buren

Entwurf für einen erneuerten Malkasten 1992 - 1994 - Ulrike Holthöfer

Relatum (Iron Plate and Stone) - Lee Ufan

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W5007
30.08.2012
Berlin Childhood - Julia Brodauf
WWW
The project "Berlin Childhood" was proposed as an exhibition idea to Vattenfall for the Turbinenhalle at the Heizkraftwerk Moabit in combination with an edition. The edition will be realised, the exhibition project not... Und die Mädels mit ihren Rol ...
The project "Berlin Childhood" was proposed as an exhibition idea to Vattenfall for the Turbinenhalle at the Heizkraftwerk Moabit in combination with an edition. The edition will be realised, the exhibition project not... Und die Mädels mit ihren Rol ...
W3681
16.05.2011
Nick Crowe and Ian Rawlinson
WWW
The Blame is a proposal for an inflatable sign to be ferried around the island of Cyprus by Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot tug boats. The sign will be made from multi-coloured letters mounted on a floating pontoon and stand around 4 metres high. ...
The Blame is a proposal for an inflatable sign to be ferried around the island of Cyprus by Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot tug boats. The sign will be made from multi-coloured letters mounted on a floating pontoon and stand around 4 metres high. ...
W4952
20.08.2012
made in america asembled in mexico - Paul Valadez
WWW
We will carry pieces of artwork created in Texas into Mexico where we will then hand assemble the work at a yet to be determined rented space. The artwork being brought into Mexico consists of 500 works on wood, metal, paper and other found objects. Th ...
We will carry pieces of artwork created in Texas into Mexico where we will then hand assemble the work at a yet to be determined rented space. The artwork being brought into Mexico consists of 500 works on wood, metal, paper and other found objects. Th ...
W5390
20.10.2012
Jesvin Yeo
WWW
Unrealized Project by Jesvin Yeo The initial intention of this project was to design and create a series of dolls to illustrate the dark period of Singapore in 1950s. When there had been more than 30 secret societies and almost everyday, there were gan ...
Unrealized Project by Jesvin Yeo The initial intention of this project was to design and create a series of dolls to illustrate the dark period of Singapore in 1950s. When there had been more than 30 secret societies and almost everyday, there were gan ...
W4069
23.05.2011
Alishia Duncanson
WWW
Title: “Mission Impossible 1” Materials: Wood and M.D.F board Corridor space containing 5- 20 drawings in space, creating semi obstructed spaces to be engaged with by the viewer. The work asks the viewer to investigate both space and time as each ...
Title: “Mission Impossible 1” Materials: Wood and M.D.F board Corridor space containing 5- 20 drawings in space, creating semi obstructed spaces to be engaged with by the viewer. The work asks the viewer to investigate both space and time as each ...
W4705
26.05.2011
CORONA (Socket Set) - Lisa Hein
WWW
CORONA (Socket Set) is a temporary installation for an existing pair of lanterns. The first lantern functions normally, but has a swarm of empty light sockets covering its glass. The second lantern looks burnt out because the inside of its glass panels ...
CORONA (Socket Set) is a temporary installation for an existing pair of lanterns. The first lantern functions normally, but has a swarm of empty light sockets covering its glass. The second lantern looks burnt out because the inside of its glass panels ...
W4093
23.05.2011
UNREALIZEABLE PROJECT A000005 - Stefano W. Pasquini
WWW
UNREALIZEABLE PROJECT A000005: dealing with the memory of the Desaparecidos of Argentina. ...
UNREALIZEABLE PROJECT A000005: dealing with the memory of the Desaparecidos of Argentina. ...
W3673
15.05.2011
SOUNDFAIR  - Clara Meister
WWW
THE UTOPIA OF A SOUNDSHOW ʻTELL ME ALL, SHOW ME NOTHINGʼ INTRODUCTION UNREALIZED PROJECT INTRODUCTION OF THE FOUNDERS 4. REALIZED PORJECTS CONTACT: Clara Meister clara@soundfair.net www.soundfair.net INTRODUCTION SOUNDFAIR - EXHI ...
THE UTOPIA OF A SOUNDSHOW ʻTELL ME ALL, SHOW ME NOTHINGʼ INTRODUCTION UNREALIZED PROJECT INTRODUCTION OF THE FOUNDERS 4. REALIZED PORJECTS CONTACT: Clara Meister clara@soundfair.net www.soundfair.net INTRODUCTION SOUNDFAIR - EXHI ...
W3494
11.05.2011
The New And The Always Same: Toward New Geographies of Habit - Elvia Pyburn-Wilk
WWW
The New And The Always Same: Toward New Geographies of Habit “The street signs for our event are all hand-written. The directions are painted over signs from past events. These handwritten signs are like the bus line that no longer runs.”1 --Phili ...
The New And The Always Same: Toward New Geographies of Habit “The street signs for our event are all hand-written. The directions are painted over signs from past events. These handwritten signs are like the bus line that no longer runs.”1 --Phili ...
W4689
26.05.2011
UNSOLICITED - Laszlo Marsch
WWW
UNSOLICITED Dear H.U.O. and G.T., I own a copy of "Unbuild Roads". It is exciting that "residuals" and "failures" see the daylight. Going through the book and reading the intro it is obvious that most of the projects, even if unrealized, were based on c ...
UNSOLICITED Dear H.U.O. and G.T., I own a copy of "Unbuild Roads". It is exciting that "residuals" and "failures" see the daylight. Going through the book and reading the intro it is obvious that most of the projects, even if unrealized, were based on c ...
W4779
03.06.2011
Trolling - Karen Hibbard
WWW
This project is too expensive for me to make without a grant and physically too large without paying for storage. However, the theme is relevant as it addresses issues around global warming and climate change as well as our addiction to consumerism an ...
This project is too expensive for me to make without a grant and physically too large without paying for storage. However, the theme is relevant as it addresses issues around global warming and climate change as well as our addiction to consumerism an ...
U9258
01.01.1966
Uncompleted 1966 - and on  - John Armleder
Unbuilt Roads
I have not kept track of most of my umcompleted projects (and many of the completed ones - ) I believe this is quite alright - Most of what has never been done was either to boring, inconvenient, incorrect, or whatever - no regrets. Some projects made h ...
I have not kept track of most of my umcompleted projects (and many of the completed ones - ) I believe this is quite alright - Most of what has never been done was either to boring, inconvenient, incorrect, or whatever - no regrets. Some projects made h ...
W3563
12.05.2011
natascha seideneck
WWW
This sculpture was proposed for a crime lab and addresses elements of visibility and invisibly of the building itself, similar to physical evidence uncovering unknown facts. ...
This sculpture was proposed for a crime lab and addresses elements of visibility and invisibly of the building itself, similar to physical evidence uncovering unknown facts. ...
U9510
01.01.1997
Der New-Babyloner - Constant
Unbuilt Roads
Die Automation verspricht uns eine Produktion, die die Bedürfnisse aller Menschen ohne menschliche Arbeitsleistung zufriedenstellt. Die Arbeit des Menschen ist nicht länger ein unumgängliches Produktionsmittel. Der Mensch steht erste. malig vor der Tat ...
Die Automation verspricht uns eine Produktion, die die Bedürfnisse aller Menschen ohne menschliche Arbeitsleistung zufriedenstellt. Die Arbeit des Menschen ist nicht länger ein unumgängliches Produktionsmittel. Der Mensch steht erste. malig vor der Tat ...
W5464
21.10.2012
Electron Self-Portrait - Lauren Jo
WWW
An electron microscope uses a beam of electrons to illuminate a specimen and produce a magnified image. In particular, a scanning electron microscope shoots focused electron beams that rather than carrying an image itself back to the lens, probes the spec ...
An electron microscope uses a beam of electrons to illuminate a specimen and produce a magnified image. In particular, a scanning electron microscope shoots focused electron beams that rather than carrying an image itself back to the lens, probes the spec ...
W4805
07.08.2012
MATTHEW ROSE
WWW
Where Does It Itch? is a project involving 100 of my framed collage works aligned in grid or horizon on a wall. Originally slated for Ogilvy Mather Direct as a proposal, it was abandoned. This PDF is that original proposal. Matthew Rose is an Americ ...
Where Does It Itch? is a project involving 100 of my framed collage works aligned in grid or horizon on a wall. Originally slated for Ogilvy Mather Direct as a proposal, it was abandoned. This PDF is that original proposal. Matthew Rose is an Americ ...
W3508
11.05.2011
Karin Schaefer
WWW
Attached are images of a model for a large scale public work that has not been realized. The making of this work started a few weeks after 911 as I needed to find a way to process and work with the reality of the event. Models have been exhibited in vari ...
Attached are images of a model for a large scale public work that has not been realized. The making of this work started a few weeks after 911 as I needed to find a way to process and work with the reality of the event. Models have been exhibited in vari ...
W5181
29.09.2012
Binary Kruno - Kruno Jost
WWW
COMPUTER GENERATED ARTISTS /// under construction - working name BinaryKruno WHAT: Binary Kruno (BK) is a critique of the system of artistic production in modern times. The project aims to discover through research whether approaches to funding artistic ...
COMPUTER GENERATED ARTISTS /// under construction - working name BinaryKruno WHAT: Binary Kruno (BK) is a critique of the system of artistic production in modern times. The project aims to discover through research whether approaches to funding artistic ...
W3479
11.05.2011
Belfast Harbor Public Art Project - Joaquin Gasgonia Palencia
WWW
Joaquin Gasgonia Palencia November 27, 2009 Call for Qualifications Belfast Harbor Public Art Project 500 words The spirit of public art is civic - it arises from the community's socio-historical experiences, from its sense of oneness and solid ...
Joaquin Gasgonia Palencia November 27, 2009 Call for Qualifications Belfast Harbor Public Art Project 500 words The spirit of public art is civic - it arises from the community's socio-historical experiences, from its sense of oneness and solid ...
W4709
26.05.2011
A Sculpture on Another Sculpture - Eduardo Villanueva
WWW
A SCULPTURE ON ANOTHER SCULPTURE An artwork by Eduardo Villanueva. Through the appropriation of an existing sculpture, I will intervene the same sculpture by altering it and doing another sculpture above the pre-existing one, acting as the pattern of ...
A SCULPTURE ON ANOTHER SCULPTURE An artwork by Eduardo Villanueva. Through the appropriation of an existing sculpture, I will intervene the same sculpture by altering it and doing another sculpture above the pre-existing one, acting as the pattern of ...
W4561
25.05.2011
FONTAINE DU BASSIN D'APOLLON- PALAIS DU VERSAILLES- PARIS. - Eduardo Villanueva
WWW
FONTAINE DU BASSIN D'APOLLON- PALAIS DU VERSAILLES- PARIS. An artwork by Eduardo Villanueva. This artwork or mischief consist in re-create a simulacrum of a terrorist act without causing serious consequences. The main act consist in throwing a bronze c ...
FONTAINE DU BASSIN D'APOLLON- PALAIS DU VERSAILLES- PARIS. An artwork by Eduardo Villanueva. This artwork or mischief consist in re-create a simulacrum of a terrorist act without causing serious consequences. The main act consist in throwing a bronze c ...
W3593
13.05.2011
VINE PEOPLE ARE NOT TERRORISTS - Dyan Marie
WWW
News reports claim my actions are that of an environmental terrorist organization: that we have unleashed a harmful toxin in the halls of power throughout the North America. ...
News reports claim my actions are that of an environmental terrorist organization: that we have unleashed a harmful toxin in the halls of power throughout the North America. ...
W4290
24.05.2011
Strategia Della Tensione - Faber Lorne
WWW
Strategia Della Tensione By Faber Lorne “Strategia Della Tensione” is plans to be made with plastic fence used on construction site. Once placed in a specific environment, the plastic fence of safety activates the temporary subtraction of ...
Strategia Della Tensione By Faber Lorne “Strategia Della Tensione” is plans to be made with plastic fence used on construction site. Once placed in a specific environment, the plastic fence of safety activates the temporary subtraction of ...
W10705
30.08.2014
space-in-between  - Ya-Wen Fu
WWW
I seek to discuss the issues about the definition of human body and the relationship between individual body and external surroundings in my artworks. As Maurice Merleau-Ponty describes: ”The human body inhabits in space; moreover, it itself is an expr ...
I seek to discuss the issues about the definition of human body and the relationship between individual body and external surroundings in my artworks. As Maurice Merleau-Ponty describes: ”The human body inhabits in space; moreover, it itself is an expr ...
W10717
11.09.2014
Parallelle Projekte in der Stadt Münster, 1997 - Nicolaisen Terje
WWW
At my final year in the Academy I went to Münster to show my projects with Yellow Light. Should I wait till I am 60 to be invited or just go to the party uninvited? Kasper König made it clear to me in his office at Landesmuseum that this was a private p ...
At my final year in the Academy I went to Münster to show my projects with Yellow Light. Should I wait till I am 60 to be invited or just go to the party uninvited? Kasper König made it clear to me in his office at Landesmuseum that this was a private p ...