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.

Unrealized Turtles 1967 - Joseph Grigely

Ruderaltisch, 1994/95 Kunst am Bau - Projekt - Lois Weinberger

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

The Clock - Ayse Erkmen

Memorial - Ilya Kabakov

Project 1 + Project 2 - Simryn Gill

Arrangement Stroom HCBK Den Haag - Ange Leccia

PROPOSALl + VOORSTEL - Guillame Bijl

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

Visual Poem: Cap I Cua - Joan Brossa

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W3714
17.05.2011
To other places, Coventry 1998 (project) - Mark Pimlott
WWW
The motorway ring road that surrounds Coventry city centre is read currently as a city wall. The city of Coventry is within it, and its conceptual wilderness is without. The space of the motorway has become a non- place, or rather a place whose legitimacy ...
The motorway ring road that surrounds Coventry city centre is read currently as a city wall. The city of Coventry is within it, and its conceptual wilderness is without. The space of the motorway has become a non- place, or rather a place whose legitimacy ...
W3815
19.05.2011
Bury Me Like This - T. Kelly Mason
WWW
Bury Me Like This A project proposed in 2007 and distributed in the form of a public invitation sent from Adamski, Berlin. The work is to to be executed as soon as possible. The work proposes that, upon the occasion of my death, my clothed body sha ...
Bury Me Like This A project proposed in 2007 and distributed in the form of a public invitation sent from Adamski, Berlin. The work is to to be executed as soon as possible. The work proposes that, upon the occasion of my death, my clothed body sha ...
W4812
07.08.2012
"2011 and my private destinations " and "Because of your coordination" - Nikolay Zanev
WWW
Pic1 2011 and my private destinations Map and software, D-print, 2012, size 70x90 cm Print shows map of Sofia city and my private duration and interest during one year period (2011), where I have been and where I used to go, do things in my pe ...
Pic1 2011 and my private destinations Map and software, D-print, 2012, size 70x90 cm Print shows map of Sofia city and my private duration and interest during one year period (2011), where I have been and where I used to go, do things in my pe ...
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 ...
W4477
25.05.2011
"Qu et Ho pt l Zone" - Jim Ricks
WWW
"Qu et Ho pt l Zone" Proposed public piece by Jim Ricks To be located in the River Fergus, Ennis, Co. Clare. Supported by the Clare County Council. ...
"Qu et Ho pt l Zone" Proposed public piece by Jim Ricks To be located in the River Fergus, Ennis, Co. Clare. Supported by the Clare County Council. ...
W3652
15.05.2011
Dederon – The Fabric of the East - Daniel Blochwitz
WWW
One of the most complex and yet unrealized projects of mine is “Dederon – The Fabric of the East” (2003-present), which literally uses the (polyester) thread named after the DDR (engl.: G.D.R.) to trace the initially noble and ambitious project of e ...
One of the most complex and yet unrealized projects of mine is “Dederon – The Fabric of the East” (2003-present), which literally uses the (polyester) thread named after the DDR (engl.: G.D.R.) to trace the initially noble and ambitious project of e ...
W5461
21.10.2012
Living DNA - Nobuho Nagasawa
WWW
Project for UCLA Hospital, Los Angeles, California © Nobuho Nagasawa Concept: All living things contain DNA. The main role of DNA in the cell is the storage of information. It is often compared to a blueprint, since it contains the instructions ...
Project for UCLA Hospital, Los Angeles, California © Nobuho Nagasawa Concept: All living things contain DNA. The main role of DNA in the cell is the storage of information. It is often compared to a blueprint, since it contains the instructions ...
W4762
28.05.2011
M. Fielder
WWW
I had planned on submitting an unrealizable idea for the AUP archives project but I had failed to submit my online proposal by its deadline of May 15th. This non-action and my inability to meet that deadline has transformed into a new unrealized project,. ...
I had planned on submitting an unrealizable idea for the AUP archives project but I had failed to submit my online proposal by its deadline of May 15th. This non-action and my inability to meet that deadline has transformed into a new unrealized project,. ...
W5011
30.08.2012
My Clothes Cost 1 $ - Patricia Jacomella
WWW
.................................................................................................................................... patricia jacomella bonola Projekt Work in Progress 2007 - 2012 My Clothes Cost 1 $ 365 Dollar-Banknote mit Häkel ...
.................................................................................................................................... patricia jacomella bonola Projekt Work in Progress 2007 - 2012 My Clothes Cost 1 $ 365 Dollar-Banknote mit Häkel ...
W3903
20.05.2011
A dream finds the way - Новогребельская Мария
WWW
Artist’s Statement “A dream finds the way” A.S.Grin “Movement” Once I realized that I am near the truth and this made me free. It is the best if one does in his life something that brings pleasure, what interesting is. ...
Artist’s Statement “A dream finds the way” A.S.Grin “Movement” Once I realized that I am near the truth and this made me free. It is the best if one does in his life something that brings pleasure, what interesting is. ...
W4424
25.05.2011
Brianne Mackinnon
WWW
To extend the concepts of primary and secondary information associated to the distribution of conceptual art in the 1960's, an exhibition invitation will be distributed with the image of text through skywriting, "Opening Event, April 30, 6pm". When attend ...
To extend the concepts of primary and secondary information associated to the distribution of conceptual art in the 1960's, an exhibition invitation will be distributed with the image of text through skywriting, "Opening Event, April 30, 6pm". When attend ...
W4515
25.05.2011
Viktor Timofeev
WWW
In this painting I have "created" a triumphal arch constructed out of 13 worker-housing units, stacked precariously and defying the laws of physics. While this village/monument is rendered to appear structurally sound, its context is most certainly utopia ...
In this painting I have "created" a triumphal arch constructed out of 13 worker-housing units, stacked precariously and defying the laws of physics. While this village/monument is rendered to appear structurally sound, its context is most certainly utopia ...
W3808
18.05.2011
Non-site seeing tours - Jen Urso
WWW
I will navigate through the city by its interstitial spaces. Using predetermined criteria for what qualifies as an interstitial space and matching mapping symbolism, I will go on walks through the city, avoiding usual thoroughfares and attraction points. ...
I will navigate through the city by its interstitial spaces. Using predetermined criteria for what qualifies as an interstitial space and matching mapping symbolism, I will go on walks through the city, avoiding usual thoroughfares and attraction points. ...
W4251
24.05.2011
AFTER TILTED ARC - Kristin Jones / Andrew Ginzel
WWW
KRISTIN JONES / ANDREW GINZEL AFTER TILTED ARC, 1985 Proposal for Alternative to Existing Federal Plaza, Storefront for Art and Architecture, New York City. Dimensions: 55' H x 20' W x 85' D (1676 H x 610 W x 2591 D cm.) Elements: Water ...
KRISTIN JONES / ANDREW GINZEL AFTER TILTED ARC, 1985 Proposal for Alternative to Existing Federal Plaza, Storefront for Art and Architecture, New York City. Dimensions: 55' H x 20' W x 85' D (1676 H x 610 W x 2591 D cm.) Elements: Water ...
W5259
12.10.2012
Kusmi Tea Sweet Love - Rosana Sancin
WWW
Kusmi Tea Sweet Love Concept and Location:. The project Kusmi Tea Sweet Love is a collaboration between a curator, lawyer, architect and a filmmaker based on the research conducted in Lisbon's multicultural ...
Kusmi Tea Sweet Love Concept and Location:. The project Kusmi Tea Sweet Love is a collaboration between a curator, lawyer, architect and a filmmaker based on the research conducted in Lisbon's multicultural ...
W5377
19.10.2012
Maya Zack
WWW
Brief description – the act of drawing as/and the act of eating Hunger is an unrealized video work that conceptually is base on the theme of the hunger for realization and materialization. It has been developing (and still is) over the past few y ...
Brief description – the act of drawing as/and the act of eating Hunger is an unrealized video work that conceptually is base on the theme of the hunger for realization and materialization. It has been developing (and still is) over the past few y ...
W4024
22.05.2011
'Theatre Pieces' (2006) - Celine Condorelli
WWW
I am sending you one of my favourite projects of all times, that didn't get made, didn't happen in the way it was intended, and was a total failure in the shape that it did happen. ...
I am sending you one of my favourite projects of all times, that didn't get made, didn't happen in the way it was intended, and was a total failure in the shape that it did happen. ...
W4543
25.05.2011
TO/HERE. moving an insignificant signal. - Paula Massarutti
WWW
TO/HERE. moving an insignificant signal. [mass performance + object exhibition + production registers]. Suplicantes [Supplicants] – historical and symbolic context [Las Precolombinas] Pre- Columbian images known as the suplicantes, [see image 1] ...
TO/HERE. moving an insignificant signal. [mass performance + object exhibition + production registers]. Suplicantes [Supplicants] – historical and symbolic context [Las Precolombinas] Pre- Columbian images known as the suplicantes, [see image 1] ...
W10172
18.06.2014
Chicago Torture Justice Memorials' Project - Anja Christine Ross
WWW
The title of "Chicago Torture Justice Memorials' Project" is concerned with my suggestion building up a kind of wall with holes. In these holes you might add photographs of this prison-archives. In my mind I found another idea that this wall has a signatu ...
The title of "Chicago Torture Justice Memorials' Project" is concerned with my suggestion building up a kind of wall with holes. In these holes you might add photographs of this prison-archives. In my mind I found another idea that this wall has a signatu ...
W4857
08.08.2012
A Comedy Routine - Dan Riley
WWW
Comedy Routine A, is a comedy routine that was written but never performed, due to shyness and perhaps bad material... COMEDY ROUTINE A So, its been gettin’ real cold lately, jeez. [Optional: Have you guys been feeling this?] We went out and ...
Comedy Routine A, is a comedy routine that was written but never performed, due to shyness and perhaps bad material... COMEDY ROUTINE A So, its been gettin’ real cold lately, jeez. [Optional: Have you guys been feeling this?] We went out and ...
W10869
18.01.2015
Jeux de société - André Guiboux
WWW
Call for proposal Protocol implementation : 1 : divert one crane. 2 : divert a police car equipped with a beacon. 3 : assemble the grapple crane car. 4 : the crane to rotate continuously and activate flashing lights police car. 5 : demanding ...
Call for proposal Protocol implementation : 1 : divert one crane. 2 : divert a police car equipped with a beacon. 3 : assemble the grapple crane car. 4 : the crane to rotate continuously and activate flashing lights police car. 5 : demanding ...
W4674
26.05.2011
traps as artworks and artworks as traps - Daniel Rubim
WWW
“There cannot be a hammer by itself; A hammer implies on nails to be hammered, Wood to hammer them into, saw to shape the wood And so forth.” Alfred Gell – Vogel’s net: traps as artworks and artworks as traps Migrations is the process of ...
“There cannot be a hammer by itself; A hammer implies on nails to be hammered, Wood to hammer them into, saw to shape the wood And so forth.” Alfred Gell – Vogel’s net: traps as artworks and artworks as traps Migrations is the process of ...
W4067
23.05.2011
Graffiti Saving - János Sugár
WWW
Writing texts on the wall has a tremendous tradition in the folklore of big cities. It is one of the simplest ways to express freedom; the creators communicate with every citizen of the city in principle. They turn an intrinsically illegible town legible. ...
Writing texts on the wall has a tremendous tradition in the folklore of big cities. It is one of the simplest ways to express freedom; the creators communicate with every citizen of the city in principle. They turn an intrinsically illegible town legible. ...
W3990
21.05.2011
Project for MAXXI Contemporary Art Museum in Roma (arh. Saha Hadid) - sculptor PhD Aili Vahtrapuu, arh. Katrin Koov, disainer Janika Vaesberg
WWW
Project for MAXXI Contemporary Art Museum in Roma (arh. Saha Hadid) Interactive sound and light installation ...
Project for MAXXI Contemporary Art Museum in Roma (arh. Saha Hadid) Interactive sound and light installation ...
W4371
25.05.2011
leak - Thessia Machado
WWW
leak A rumination on transmutation, language, the experience of time, death and the joys of apartment living. Installation with 12.5 gallons of water (equivalent to my weight), vinyl, sheetrock, camera, computer running max/msp/jitter, monitor and ...
leak A rumination on transmutation, language, the experience of time, death and the joys of apartment living. Installation with 12.5 gallons of water (equivalent to my weight), vinyl, sheetrock, camera, computer running max/msp/jitter, monitor and ...
W5312
17.10.2012
Empire - Elena Dubrova
WWW
We would like to introduce to Your attention our short non embodied project. The project itself can be incarnate but his idea is reverse. We named it ‘Empire’. Project consist series of photo ( 5 pieces) and 1 gif. image. It consists awareness, ...
We would like to introduce to Your attention our short non embodied project. The project itself can be incarnate but his idea is reverse. We named it ‘Empire’. Project consist series of photo ( 5 pieces) and 1 gif. image. It consists awareness, ...