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.

Project for the Initiative Mahnmal Homosexuellenverfolgung, Frankfurt  - Jeff Wall

The bridge according to Jeong-a's dream - Koo Jeong

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

PROJEKT - Ulrich Rückreim

Festival du film de famille - Pierre Huyghe

Monument with Rust - Gustav Metzger

Notebook Page: Home in the Form of a Banana with Garage,  - Claes Oldenburg

Milan House (AC/DC & Joy Division) - Liam Gillick

Grand Concours International D'Architecture  - Sol Lewitt

Eislandschaft - P. Fischli und D. Weiss

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
#
Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
U9796
28.02.1995
Broadway Musicals - Christian Marclay
Unbuilt Roads
Proposal for a Times Square Business Improvement District Traffic Median Public Art Project Febuary 28th, 1995 Artist: Christian Marclay Title: Broadway Musicals Site: Traffic median between Broadway and Seventh Avenue, from 4 ...
Proposal for a Times Square Business Improvement District Traffic Median Public Art Project Febuary 28th, 1995 Artist: Christian Marclay Title: Broadway Musicals Site: Traffic median between Broadway and Seventh Avenue, from 4 ...
W3996
21.05.2011
Jana Leo de blas
WWW
SEX-ROOM / SEX BOOTH-Jana Leo-2001 Where is the Sex-Room? Straight to the end on your right. A table for ironing, a room for bath, another for the bed, a dinning-table, a Laundromat a place for the laundry, an exercise facility: a gym….Space named by ...
SEX-ROOM / SEX BOOTH-Jana Leo-2001 Where is the Sex-Room? Straight to the end on your right. A table for ironing, a room for bath, another for the bed, a dinning-table, a Laundromat a place for the laundry, an exercise facility: a gym….Space named by ...
W3645
15.05.2011
Provincetown, Cape Cod, MA USA. 2006 - Jay Critchley
WWW
Provincetown, Cape Cod, MA USA. 2006 Martucket Eyeland Resort & Theme Park Following on the heels of the controversial industrial wind farm proposed for Nantucket Sound, a dramatic “third eyeland” resort and theme park has been proposed for the ...
Provincetown, Cape Cod, MA USA. 2006 Martucket Eyeland Resort & Theme Park Following on the heels of the controversial industrial wind farm proposed for Nantucket Sound, a dramatic “third eyeland” resort and theme park has been proposed for the ...
W4802
07.08.2012
Talking in Strings - chiara passa
WWW
My CV: http://www.chiarapassa.it/Artisticprofile.html 2011 "Talking in string", generative video installation. Time variable. "Talking in string" is a generative video installation inspired by the 'Rotor', famous Luna Park rotating carousel. "Talking in ...
My CV: http://www.chiarapassa.it/Artisticprofile.html 2011 "Talking in string", generative video installation. Time variable. "Talking in string" is a generative video installation inspired by the 'Rotor', famous Luna Park rotating carousel. "Talking in ...
W4528
25.05.2011
The World Exhibition - Karl Kilian
WWW
The World Exhibition – A project by Karl Kilian General information The first time there will be an exhibition all over the world. The project combines the internet and the real world, space and place, the artworld and the world population. For this ...
The World Exhibition – A project by Karl Kilian General information The first time there will be an exhibition all over the world. The project combines the internet and the real world, space and place, the artworld and the world population. For this ...
W5480
21.10.2012
mosque - Marek Kucharski
WWW
The aim of the installation "mosque" is to draw public attention to the changes that occurred for a few years in the Polish culture. Currently, due to the increasing level of wealth in Poland, our country is increasingly becoming a target of emigration. ...
The aim of the installation "mosque" is to draw public attention to the changes that occurred for a few years in the Polish culture. Currently, due to the increasing level of wealth in Poland, our country is increasingly becoming a target of emigration. ...
W4090
23.05.2011
Wrong Satelite Information News  - Stefano W. Pasquini
WWW
This is a series of a project titled "UNREALIZEABLE PROJECTS 1994-2015" that I started in 1994 out of the frustration of not being able to realize some of the installation I wanted to make, out of lack of funds. At the time fundraising in art was not some ...
This is a series of a project titled "UNREALIZEABLE PROJECTS 1994-2015" that I started in 1994 out of the frustration of not being able to realize some of the installation I wanted to make, out of lack of funds. At the time fundraising in art was not some ...
W4119
23.05.2011
TIME:PIECE - LEWIS KOCH
WWW
TIME:PIECE, A PUBLIC ARTWORK BY LEWIS KOCH, to hang on the front facade of the museum building, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg, Manitoba. The banner's design, comprised of line drawing and text, presents an interpretation of the idea of time defined from ...
TIME:PIECE, A PUBLIC ARTWORK BY LEWIS KOCH, to hang on the front facade of the museum building, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg, Manitoba. The banner's design, comprised of line drawing and text, presents an interpretation of the idea of time defined from ...
W5242
09.10.2012
Taking over the sea - Slobodan Stosic
WWW
Slobodan stosic “Taking over the sea” Proposal for land art project This sketch for geopolitical land art project is also a proposal which offers solution for balkan mentality (mostly concerning ex- Yugoslavian countries) which is riven by et ...
Slobodan stosic “Taking over the sea” Proposal for land art project This sketch for geopolitical land art project is also a proposal which offers solution for balkan mentality (mostly concerning ex- Yugoslavian countries) which is riven by et ...
W4698
26.05.2011
Jacqueline Hoang Nguyen
WWW
As part of my residency at L’appartement 22 between November 24th - December 14th, 2009 I intended to conduct a research-based residency. The residency studio/apartment is located across the street from the Moroccan Parliament.... ...
As part of my residency at L’appartement 22 between November 24th - December 14th, 2009 I intended to conduct a research-based residency. The residency studio/apartment is located across the street from the Moroccan Parliament.... ...
W4144
23.05.2011
Winifred Bendiner-Viani
WWW
The two images attached are part of an ongoing series of 8"X 8" mixed media collages. ...
The two images attached are part of an ongoing series of 8"X 8" mixed media collages. ...
W3616
13.05.2011
Fountion of Steam - Scott Hillman
WWW
This was a project i designed for a sculpture park, as a water element of such.. The owner didn't want a water feature and rejected it. As such it was never implimented though i made an estimate for around 2000.00 to build. The idea of it quite simply ...
This was a project i designed for a sculpture park, as a water element of such.. The owner didn't want a water feature and rejected it. As such it was never implimented though i made an estimate for around 2000.00 to build. The idea of it quite simply ...
W3750
18.05.2011
Red stars, 2008 - Tanja Lazetic
WWW
Early in 2008 I was planning a coloring action. There is a historical monument in Ljubljana called The Trail of Remembrance and Comradeship; consisting of a walkway almost ringing Ljubljana; its signposts bear the emblem of the red star. Over time, the re ...
Early in 2008 I was planning a coloring action. There is a historical monument in Ljubljana called The Trail of Remembrance and Comradeship; consisting of a walkway almost ringing Ljubljana; its signposts bear the emblem of the red star. Over time, the re ...
W3888
20.05.2011
Self-Erasing Light Drawing - Aaron Bowles
WWW
“Self-Erasing Light Drawing” was part of a series of kinetic sculpture works that collectively explored the idea of ever-changing environments. Finding common ground with Mona Hatoum’s “Self-Erasing Drawing,” the piece replaced conventional art ...
“Self-Erasing Light Drawing” was part of a series of kinetic sculpture works that collectively explored the idea of ever-changing environments. Finding common ground with Mona Hatoum’s “Self-Erasing Drawing,” the piece replaced conventional art ...
W4571
25.05.2011
Argh! - Paco Contreras
WWW
Tilted Argh! Since its inception the Roman civilization had exalted its leaders. Rome had always awaited the arrival of good news from its generals with great concern; in hope of securing protection of the Empire. The Romans were tremendously respect ...
Tilted Argh! Since its inception the Roman civilization had exalted its leaders. Rome had always awaited the arrival of good news from its generals with great concern; in hope of securing protection of the Empire. The Romans were tremendously respect ...
W4893
10.08.2012
Ben Sloat
WWW
A chrome machine with cut out letters is in constant production of the word "sorry." Made of smoke, the word lingers for a moment, then quickly dissipates. ...
A chrome machine with cut out letters is in constant production of the word "sorry." Made of smoke, the word lingers for a moment, then quickly dissipates. ...
W4696
26.05.2011
Color Choices. Participatory Sculptures - Richard Jochum
WWW
Color Choices. Participatory Sculptures Short Description In 2005 I've participated in an open call for a public art project. The project included the redesign of 5 station buildings along a railroad connecting small villages in the middle of the Au ...
Color Choices. Participatory Sculptures Short Description In 2005 I've participated in an open call for a public art project. The project included the redesign of 5 station buildings along a railroad connecting small villages in the middle of the Au ...
U9497
07.04.1997
Jake and Dinos Chapman's five proposals for an empty plinth situated on central londons trafalgar square - Jake and Dinos Chapman
Unbuilt Roads
commissioned by liberal daily broadsheet newspaper ironically suggesting the most unsuitable artists possible to produce the most unsuitable public sculpture never to be realized: ha ha ha, very funny we suggest one of the following: project 'Hawki ...
commissioned by liberal daily broadsheet newspaper ironically suggesting the most unsuitable artists possible to produce the most unsuitable public sculpture never to be realized: ha ha ha, very funny we suggest one of the following: project 'Hawki ...
W10481
28.04.2014
The Geese of Feliferhof - Esther Shalev-Gerz with Jochen Gerz
WWW
Graz, Austria In 1996, Esther Shalev-Gerz and Jochen Gerz won an international competition launched by the Austrian government to pay tribute to those who opposed the Nazi regime. The artists proposed installing four white flags carrying red inscriptio ...
Graz, Austria In 1996, Esther Shalev-Gerz and Jochen Gerz won an international competition launched by the Austrian government to pay tribute to those who opposed the Nazi regime. The artists proposed installing four white flags carrying red inscriptio ...
W4565
25.05.2011
FICTITIOUS ISLANDS  - Eduardo Villanueva
WWW
FICTITIOUS ISLANDS A proyect by : Eduardo Villanueva & the sightless people of Murcia; for the new life residency Manifesta 8, Murcia Spain. 2010 Experimenting with the consciousness and interacting with blind people is the main argument here to presen ...
FICTITIOUS ISLANDS A proyect by : Eduardo Villanueva & the sightless people of Murcia; for the new life residency Manifesta 8, Murcia Spain. 2010 Experimenting with the consciousness and interacting with blind people is the main argument here to presen ...
W3948
20.05.2011
¿Che pasa?/Doesn't matter! - Beatrice Crastini
WWW
Project presented to Frieze Committee, year 2009 In any case i think that this project was in advance before of the Italian "bungabunga" scandal. Project: ¿Che pasa?/Doesn't matter! Recession, crisis, war, record price per barrel, unemployment, ...
Project presented to Frieze Committee, year 2009 In any case i think that this project was in advance before of the Italian "bungabunga" scandal. Project: ¿Che pasa?/Doesn't matter! Recession, crisis, war, record price per barrel, unemployment, ...
U9798
01.01.1972
Prima del 73 - Fabio Mauri
Unbuilt Roads
see my letter (eventually reasons why the work has not been realised) Anxiety Previous Publications (?) This thing is mentioned in "Fabio Mauri Opere e Azioni 1954-1994" Giorgio Mondadori Ed. Exisiting Documents (photos, drawings, models): ...
see my letter (eventually reasons why the work has not been realised) Anxiety Previous Publications (?) This thing is mentioned in "Fabio Mauri Opere e Azioni 1954-1994" Giorgio Mondadori Ed. Exisiting Documents (photos, drawings, models): ...
U9523
18.02.1997
Projet pour la Place Saint Léger à Chambery  - Erik Dietman
Unbuilt Roads
Projet pour la Place Saint Léger à Chambery à l'occasion de l'exposition pour la préfiguration du Musée de sculptures de Buisson-Rond organisée par Françoise Guichon en 1982. Comme toutes Jes places publiques, la Place Saint Léger est peuplée ...
Projet pour la Place Saint Léger à Chambery à l'occasion de l'exposition pour la préfiguration du Musée de sculptures de Buisson-Rond organisée par Françoise Guichon en 1982. Comme toutes Jes places publiques, la Place Saint Léger est peuplée ...
W4880
09.08.2012
Thistlegarden Project - Rob Voerman
WWW
Thistlegarden-project My plan is to create a garden consisting of only of wild thistles. Sown, but mainly re-planted from the wild in early spring, they will be placed in lines and patterns. The overall form will be a grafic representation of an explosi ...
Thistlegarden-project My plan is to create a garden consisting of only of wild thistles. Sown, but mainly re-planted from the wild in early spring, they will be placed in lines and patterns. The overall form will be a grafic representation of an explosi ...
W5175
26.09.2012
Action Office III - Geissler Sann
WWW
Action Office III The first cubicles were designed in 1967 by Robert Propst. The purpose was to give the workers more privacy, to isolate them from sights and noises of an open workspace. Probst consulted for his research mathematicians, behavioral psych ...
Action Office III The first cubicles were designed in 1967 by Robert Propst. The purpose was to give the workers more privacy, to isolate them from sights and noises of an open workspace. Probst consulted for his research mathematicians, behavioral psych ...
W4792
13.06.2011
No Flag Long Enough - Santiago Pinyol
WWW
NO FLAG LONG ENOUGH Flags are not meant to touch the floor, everybody knows that. Flags are meant to be weaved, to be watched, to preside. The intervention proposed to bring the flags down from their vertical order into the horizontal one, connecti ...
NO FLAG LONG ENOUGH Flags are not meant to touch the floor, everybody knows that. Flags are meant to be weaved, to be watched, to preside. The intervention proposed to bring the flags down from their vertical order into the horizontal one, connecti ...