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.

No title, as the project only reached proposal stage - Rikrit Tiravanija

Unrealized project for Tate Gallery + ICA, 1969 - Gilbert and George

Unbetitelt, Gänse-Projekt + Noch unbetitelt , " Durch den Mund sehen " + Kartoffeln  - Carsten Holler

Double Exposure 1995-6  - Dan Graham

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

PROJEKT - Ulrich Rückreim

CIVITAS Stadtpostkarten - Lothar Baumgarten

Placid Earth: A Project for the Meeting of Millennia - Cai Guo Quiang

Post Photographic apparatus - Steven Pippin

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

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4425
25.05.2011
Retrospection of Rejection: - Brianne Mackinnon
WWW
Retrospection of Rejection: A collaborative competition with fellow Brisbane artist, Anastasia Booth. Each artist apply's for as many exhibition opportunities as possible - collecting and archiving only the rejection responses to proposals. These document ...
Retrospection of Rejection: A collaborative competition with fellow Brisbane artist, Anastasia Booth. Each artist apply's for as many exhibition opportunities as possible - collecting and archiving only the rejection responses to proposals. These document ...
W5379
19.10.2012
The naturalness of the artificial - Ana Pissarra
WWW
The naturalness of the artificial, Ana Pissarra This work explores associations between House and Domestic fantasy, always within a logic of ‘integration’. Thought games of association, the word House may bring about in us resonances that take the ...
The naturalness of the artificial, Ana Pissarra This work explores associations between House and Domestic fantasy, always within a logic of ‘integration’. Thought games of association, the word House may bring about in us resonances that take the ...
W4548
25.05.2011
CHIASMA - Kristin Jones / Andrew Ginzel
WWW
CHIASMA Chiasma will be a contemplative work integrated with both the context and architecture of the University of Central Florida’s new Health Sciences campus, Tavistock Common. At the heart of the Common’s grand expanse, the elements that compri ...
CHIASMA Chiasma will be a contemplative work integrated with both the context and architecture of the University of Central Florida’s new Health Sciences campus, Tavistock Common. At the heart of the Common’s grand expanse, the elements that compri ...
W5317
18.10.2012
Apostol Kardamov
WWW
To starting form early 19th century, industrial revolution had spread all around the world with enormous impact. Individual countries got infected differently by this magnificent influence. This difference ( in my view point) comes from culture. ...
To starting form early 19th century, industrial revolution had spread all around the world with enormous impact. Individual countries got infected differently by this magnificent influence. This difference ( in my view point) comes from culture. ...
U9823
13.02.1997
Project tor the Veterans Administration Hospital--Bay Pines, Florida. - Robert Morris
Unbuilt Roads
13 Feb 97 Att: Hans Ulrich Obrist From: R. Morris (fax:914-255-2781) Re: Unbuilt Roads Dear Hans Ulrich Obrist, Thanks for you recent fax inviting me to participate in your project. I send along some information about a project that might be ...
13 Feb 97 Att: Hans Ulrich Obrist From: R. Morris (fax:914-255-2781) Re: Unbuilt Roads Dear Hans Ulrich Obrist, Thanks for you recent fax inviting me to participate in your project. I send along some information about a project that might be ...
W3703
17.05.2011
Izabela Ołdak
WWW
Artist Statement Artists don't make objects. Artists make mythologies. 
Anish Kapoor Art has the power to cause a revolution, to change minds. It is for me a communication aimed at the search for truth, in life and in reality. Art has an immense p ...
Artist Statement Artists don't make objects. Artists make mythologies. 
Anish Kapoor Art has the power to cause a revolution, to change minds. It is for me a communication aimed at the search for truth, in life and in reality. Art has an immense p ...
W5467
21.10.2012
L.R. Faigeles
WWW
For the previous eight months, I spent my time living, working and studying in Berlin. In addition, I traveled to London, Prague, Venice and Paris. Much of my time was spent studying the history of the various cities and how that history has in effect s ...
For the previous eight months, I spent my time living, working and studying in Berlin. In addition, I traveled to London, Prague, Venice and Paris. Much of my time was spent studying the history of the various cities and how that history has in effect s ...
W5271
14.10.2012
Amanda Karlsson, Anton Bergendahl
WWW
During the fall of 2012, the swedish artist Amanda Karlsson and the swedish musician Anton Bergendahl has been working on a collaboration between music and art. They both grew up in small swedish cities with a strong desire towards something bigger... ...
During the fall of 2012, the swedish artist Amanda Karlsson and the swedish musician Anton Bergendahl has been working on a collaboration between music and art. They both grew up in small swedish cities with a strong desire towards something bigger... ...
W5118
18.09.2012
Sheida Lavasani
WWW
Often while traveling with a camera I arrive just as the sun slips over the horizon of a moment, too late to expose film, only time enough to expose my hearts. I love people photography. I believe, There are always two people in every picture: the photog ...
Often while traveling with a camera I arrive just as the sun slips over the horizon of a moment, too late to expose film, only time enough to expose my hearts. I love people photography. I believe, There are always two people in every picture: the photog ...
W4604
25.05.2011
Ideas as falling light energy for a day - Karen Roulstone
WWW
Ideas as falling light energy for a day These sample works are from the start of a project which aims were to attempt to map thought processes connected to ideas which can never be fully resolved. The plan was to map ideas diagrammatically as falling l ...
Ideas as falling light energy for a day These sample works are from the start of a project which aims were to attempt to map thought processes connected to ideas which can never be fully resolved. The plan was to map ideas diagrammatically as falling l ...
W5048
03.09.2012
Unrealized Poster - Robert Linsley
WWW
Unrealized project for a poster, circa 2002. FORWARD UNDER THE BANNER OF THE EXECUTIVE DAEMON! ALL POWER TO THE OTHER DAEMONS! EAST VAN RULES! ...
Unrealized project for a poster, circa 2002. FORWARD UNDER THE BANNER OF THE EXECUTIVE DAEMON! ALL POWER TO THE OTHER DAEMONS! EAST VAN RULES! ...
W4723
26.05.2011
DIY Art Collecting - Broc Blegen
WWW
DIY Art Collecting Since last spring I’ve been developing a curatorial/collecting practice to develop a ‘Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Art Collection.’ I’ve always wanted to collect and live with really great art, but I could never afford to purchase ...
DIY Art Collecting Since last spring I’ve been developing a curatorial/collecting practice to develop a ‘Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Art Collection.’ I’ve always wanted to collect and live with really great art, but I could never afford to purchase ...
W4282
24.05.2011
USS PALIN - Kevin Sampson
WWW
Book of Ezekiel (12: 1-2) " ... Oh mortals, thou dwellest among the rebellious breed. They have eyes to see but see not; they have ears to hear, but hear not..." I have been constructing vessels for several years. After thinking about the current s ...
Book of Ezekiel (12: 1-2) " ... Oh mortals, thou dwellest among the rebellious breed. They have eyes to see but see not; they have ears to hear, but hear not..." I have been constructing vessels for several years. After thinking about the current s ...
W3905
20.05.2011
Sarah Sipling
WWW
The unfinished abandoned start to a project involving changing images and ideas. A chance encounter with two drawing tools, a mannequin and a skeleton wrapped around each other. ...
The unfinished abandoned start to a project involving changing images and ideas. A chance encounter with two drawing tools, a mannequin and a skeleton wrapped around each other. ...
W3748
18.05.2011
SPOT ON - John Gayer
WWW
Proposed in 2009, SPOT ON could be described as participatory pointillism. My idea was relatively simple. It involved making stamping materials (circular rubber stamps + ink/paint pads in a range of colours) available to viewers so that each could contrib ...
Proposed in 2009, SPOT ON could be described as participatory pointillism. My idea was relatively simple. It involved making stamping materials (circular rubber stamps + ink/paint pads in a range of colours) available to viewers so that each could contrib ...
W3830
19.05.2011
Michael Tsegaye
WWW
This images are of grave stones.In Ethiopia when a person dies the relatives places a photograph into the tomb stone and inscribes a short history of the deceased. Inspired by Ethiopian poet and painter Gebrekirstos Desta. ...
This images are of grave stones.In Ethiopia when a person dies the relatives places a photograph into the tomb stone and inscribes a short history of the deceased. Inspired by Ethiopian poet and painter Gebrekirstos Desta. ...
W4374
25.05.2011
Proposal for culture (an interactive installation)  - Thessia Machado
WWW
Proposal for culture (an interactive installation) I’ve been thinking about the different ways in which organisms can perceive their environment and adapt to it — capturing and responding to either images, air vibration, or smells, sounds, flavors, ...
Proposal for culture (an interactive installation) I’ve been thinking about the different ways in which organisms can perceive their environment and adapt to it — capturing and responding to either images, air vibration, or smells, sounds, flavors, ...
W5013
30.08.2012
Children of the Enemy - Edward Walsh
WWW
Children of the Enemy is a sculpture dedicated to the children on either side of any conflict down through history. Stand before them and become the attacker. Stand behind them and become the attacked. "Children of the Enemy", model for bronze, 55" h ...
Children of the Enemy is a sculpture dedicated to the children on either side of any conflict down through history. Stand before them and become the attacker. Stand behind them and become the attacked. "Children of the Enemy", model for bronze, 55" h ...
W5258
12.10.2012
Collective biographies - Haim Ben Shitrit
WWW
Collective biographies Chapter 1 Bernd Sering Bernd is my friend and colleague for more than 20 years. He came to Israel from Bavaria in the beginning of the eighties, finished an MA In physics, got married to Dafna and they had 2 boys. The fact tha ...
Collective biographies Chapter 1 Bernd Sering Bernd is my friend and colleague for more than 20 years. He came to Israel from Bavaria in the beginning of the eighties, finished an MA In physics, got married to Dafna and they had 2 boys. The fact tha ...
W5491
26.10.2012
AUDIOLABIA - Karen Hibbard
WWW
Arist Book Proposal by Karen Hibbard, Women’s Studio Workshop, 2011. The title merges the words ‘audio’ and ‘labia’. Audio is any refers to any representation of sound. Labium (plural labia) is a Latin‐derived term meaning "Lip".The labia are ...
Arist Book Proposal by Karen Hibbard, Women’s Studio Workshop, 2011. The title merges the words ‘audio’ and ‘labia’. Audio is any refers to any representation of sound. Labium (plural labia) is a Latin‐derived term meaning "Lip".The labia are ...
W5376
19.10.2012
FIRE! - Mary Behm-Steinberg
WWW
Statement for the bronze plaque (or documentation in the museum)*** Everywhere we look, the common person and the environment are under attack. Global warming; crop failures; poverty and starvation; the disappearance of the middle class and as America ...
Statement for the bronze plaque (or documentation in the museum)*** Everywhere we look, the common person and the environment are under attack. Global warming; crop failures; poverty and starvation; the disappearance of the middle class and as America ...
W4205
24.05.2011
Dublin girl sells soul for drugs  - Catherine Harty
WWW
One of my many unrealized projects A number of years ago I saw a headline on the front of an evening paper. It read ‘Dublin girl sells soul for drugs’. Its a phrase which stayed with me, it generated an image in my mind of a track- suit glad young ...
One of my many unrealized projects A number of years ago I saw a headline on the front of an evening paper. It read ‘Dublin girl sells soul for drugs’. Its a phrase which stayed with me, it generated an image in my mind of a track- suit glad young ...
W4110
23.05.2011
The Circumference is Everywhere - Daniel R Small
WWW
The Circumference is Everywhere, 2011 100 miles Northeast of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert lies a city abandoned in advance of itself, a ruin that is an aerial monument to misguided optimism that was conceived of by Nat Mendelsohn and intended to r ...
The Circumference is Everywhere, 2011 100 miles Northeast of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert lies a city abandoned in advance of itself, a ruin that is an aerial monument to misguided optimism that was conceived of by Nat Mendelsohn and intended to r ...
W3702
17.05.2011
The Ninth Circle of Obsession - the project for group exhibition - Izabela Ołdak
WWW
Obsession is a mental state, the inability to free yourself from intrusive thoughts, images, or from performing the same actions. Obsession is also a type of anxiety disorder, reflected by the presence of irrational thoughts and impulses, which are accom ...
Obsession is a mental state, the inability to free yourself from intrusive thoughts, images, or from performing the same actions. Obsession is also a type of anxiety disorder, reflected by the presence of irrational thoughts and impulses, which are accom ...
W5486
24.10.2012
Top Ten Words I Am Sick of Seeing on Artists Statements - Andrea Liu
WWW
liminal space “in its final iteration” itinerant practice “rupture” or “suture” post-Fordism the performative dimension of language seeks to negotiate the tension between X and Y seeks to problemati ...
liminal space “in its final iteration” itinerant practice “rupture” or “suture” post-Fordism the performative dimension of language seeks to negotiate the tension between X and Y seeks to problemati ...
W4875
09.08.2012
Tradutraditore - Michele Molinari
WWW
TRADUTRADITORE from Italian traduttore/traditore, translator/traitor; human 1, machine 0. Description Development Artists DESCRIPTION from Italian traduttore/traditore, translator/traitor; human 1, machine 0. Tradutraditore is an in ...
TRADUTRADITORE from Italian traduttore/traditore, translator/traitor; human 1, machine 0. Description Development Artists DESCRIPTION from Italian traduttore/traditore, translator/traitor; human 1, machine 0. Tradutraditore is an in ...