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

119. PROJET DE DESTRUCTION DU MUSEE 1970 - 1971 - Jef Geys

Project pour le parc de sculpture de Vassiviére - Paul-Armand Gette

The Clock - Ayse Erkmen

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

Der New-Babyloner - Constant

Nicht realisierte Projekte - Stefan Demary

To Two Too; Hypothetical Monument for a Natural Disaster - Jeffrey Wisniewski

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

Arrangement Stroom HCBK Den Haag - Ange Leccia

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4316
24.05.2011
Scaffold Cathedral - Kirsty Tinkler
WWW
Kirsty Tinkler Shoreditch Festival Proposal 2007 Working title: Scaffold Cathedral Materials: Scaffold tubing, brackets, construction mesh Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 5 metres The ‘Scaffold Cathedral’ is a skeletal structure measuring 5 x 5 metr ...
Kirsty Tinkler Shoreditch Festival Proposal 2007 Working title: Scaffold Cathedral Materials: Scaffold tubing, brackets, construction mesh Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 5 metres The ‘Scaffold Cathedral’ is a skeletal structure measuring 5 x 5 metr ...
W4364
25.05.2011
AUTOPOIETIC AMALGAMATE  - Brandon Walls Olsen
WWW
AUTOPOIETIC AMALGAMATE (ALL OF THE “ART” DISTILLED INTO A FORM-FUL PILE AND EMPTIED ITSELF OF EXCESS, FINALLY): [Self-Portrait as Utility (Blades); EVERYTHING-NOTHING: Everything (The Big Oil [Low Light]), Nothing (Faux-Earth [High Light]), Primary an ...
AUTOPOIETIC AMALGAMATE (ALL OF THE “ART” DISTILLED INTO A FORM-FUL PILE AND EMPTIED ITSELF OF EXCESS, FINALLY): [Self-Portrait as Utility (Blades); EVERYTHING-NOTHING: Everything (The Big Oil [Low Light]), Nothing (Faux-Earth [High Light]), Primary an ...
W5197
02.10.2012
Spiti - Maria Karametou
WWW
In recent times, as the urban landscape changes under the socioeconomic impact of migration and the breaking down of borders, and as uniformity precipitates a loss of individual identity and character, there is a continual process of definition and redefi ...
In recent times, as the urban landscape changes under the socioeconomic impact of migration and the breaking down of borders, and as uniformity precipitates a loss of individual identity and character, there is a continual process of definition and redefi ...
W3865
19.05.2011
23rd Street Station MTA PROPOSAL 5-5-00 - Chris Twomey
WWW
The concept for this proposal evolved from my own experience riding the subway line last year when I had to travel with my infant. I would board the train at rush hour with her sleeping snugly positioned in my body. Then, I noticed the harried and tired ...
The concept for this proposal evolved from my own experience riding the subway line last year when I had to travel with my infant. I would board the train at rush hour with her sleeping snugly positioned in my body. Then, I noticed the harried and tired ...
W4853
08.08.2012
Tyburn Tree - Rick Buckley
WWW
Tyburn Tree Proposal for a site-specific structure Rick Buckley ©2006 ‘Tyburn Tree’ is a site-specific (powder coated) steel structure. Elevated upon three vertical beams, measuring approx 6 metres in height. To stand at the original sit ...
Tyburn Tree Proposal for a site-specific structure Rick Buckley ©2006 ‘Tyburn Tree’ is a site-specific (powder coated) steel structure. Elevated upon three vertical beams, measuring approx 6 metres in height. To stand at the original sit ...
W4307
24.05.2011
The War Of The Worlds (South Africa) - James Webb
WWW
The War Of The Worlds (South Africa) I have been developing the following unrealised project: to create a radio announcement that takes Orson Welles’s infamous 1938 broadcast, “The War Of The Worlds,” as a starting point, re-imagining the concept ...
The War Of The Worlds (South Africa) I have been developing the following unrealised project: to create a radio announcement that takes Orson Welles’s infamous 1938 broadcast, “The War Of The Worlds,” as a starting point, re-imagining the concept ...
W4420
25.05.2011
Michel NORTH
WWW
Household aluminium foil sculptures - development of a "fa presto" technique in sculpture. Those are two examples of statues (image 1: 1978; image 2: 1985), unrealised in that sense that the technique used and developped by me about 50 years ago still do ...
Household aluminium foil sculptures - development of a "fa presto" technique in sculpture. Those are two examples of statues (image 1: 1978; image 2: 1985), unrealised in that sense that the technique used and developped by me about 50 years ago still do ...
W4718
26.05.2011
Blue Cries - Eduardo Villanueva
WWW
Blue cries Film scenario Study of the materie- antimaterie, by Eduardo Villanueva. The basic Idea here is to retake the vision of the Air Architecture project made by Yves Klein, who investigated the possibilities of immaterial architecture, makin ...
Blue cries Film scenario Study of the materie- antimaterie, by Eduardo Villanueva. The basic Idea here is to retake the vision of the Air Architecture project made by Yves Klein, who investigated the possibilities of immaterial architecture, makin ...
W3851
19.05.2011
John Miserendino
WWW
a hot air balloon shaped like an inverted empire state building. ...
a hot air balloon shaped like an inverted empire state building. ...
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 ...
W3601
13.05.2011
Argumentation of the National Bitter Melon Council on the Power and Efficacy of Bitter Melonism - Andi Sutton
WWW
A proposal to the 7th Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art, 2012 Proposal by: The National Bitter Melon Council Web Site: http://www.bittermelon.org Contact: Andi Sutton P: 857-928-4196 E: andi.sutton@gmail.com Out of love for flavor and the desir ...
A proposal to the 7th Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art, 2012 Proposal by: The National Bitter Melon Council Web Site: http://www.bittermelon.org Contact: Andi Sutton P: 857-928-4196 E: andi.sutton@gmail.com Out of love for flavor and the desir ...
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 ...
W10554
04.06.2014
Green Soundscape // Audio collage - Reference to the Arab revolution - Youssef Tabti
WWW
I. Collect recording in North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt) The project addresses the idea of Arabic cities landscape from an auditory perspective. I would like to collect a various audio sources on location to recreate a complex and subje ...
I. Collect recording in North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt) The project addresses the idea of Arabic cities landscape from an auditory perspective. I would like to collect a various audio sources on location to recreate a complex and subje ...
W4607
25.05.2011
Latent Online gallery of unrealised art works launched  - Blaithin Quinn - Latent
WWW
Latent Online gallery of unrealised art works launched Press Release: Dublin, Ireland; 25 May 2011 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Latent is a curated, web-based gallery that reveals the often forgotten, postponed or edited ideas of unrealised art works. ...
Latent Online gallery of unrealised art works launched Press Release: Dublin, Ireland; 25 May 2011 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Latent is a curated, web-based gallery that reveals the often forgotten, postponed or edited ideas of unrealised art works. ...
W4341
24.05.2011
“Immediate work” - Janet Stafford
WWW
“Immediate work” is the way I describe my new work and proposed work because the basis for it is a process that involves walking into the woods or walking outside anywhere, being aware of what I am noticing, and then using what I am noticing to make w ...
“Immediate work” is the way I describe my new work and proposed work because the basis for it is a process that involves walking into the woods or walking outside anywhere, being aware of what I am noticing, and then using what I am noticing to make w ...
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 ...
W4103
23.05.2011
On  Level  #01   - Håvard Pedersen
WWW
On Level #01 is/was intended to be an authentic looking Hultafors meter where each 1 cm mark would equal 1,1 cm. Though unnoticed at short distances this error would of course grow considerably and consistently provide a 10% error at any length. The meter ...
On Level #01 is/was intended to be an authentic looking Hultafors meter where each 1 cm mark would equal 1,1 cm. Though unnoticed at short distances this error would of course grow considerably and consistently provide a 10% error at any length. The meter ...
W4899
11.08.2012
Brasília, Cars, Pools & Other Modernities - Clarissa Tossin
WWW
“Brasília, Cars, Pools & Other Modernities” is the culmination of a body of work that departs from my experience of growing up in Brasília, Brazil’s planned capital. The project consists of a site-specific action in which a 1970s Volkswagen Brasil ...
“Brasília, Cars, Pools & Other Modernities” is the culmination of a body of work that departs from my experience of growing up in Brasília, Brazil’s planned capital. The project consists of a site-specific action in which a 1970s Volkswagen Brasil ...
W10676
13.08.2014
Structure for Formal and Material Imagination - Scott Massey
WWW
Travel to another dimension has long held our fascination. From Alice’s tentative leap down the rabbit hole, Wade Davis’ experients with the worlds psychotropic flora, or teleporting from the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, exploration of alternat ...
Travel to another dimension has long held our fascination. From Alice’s tentative leap down the rabbit hole, Wade Davis’ experients with the worlds psychotropic flora, or teleporting from the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, exploration of alternat ...
U9538
01.01.1996
The Clock - Ayse Erkmen
Unbuilt Roads
The location is Domplatz, Münster. The Place is the reconstructed wall at the west wing of the Dome. This was the previous entrance of the Dome before it was destroyed in the way. It does not have an entrance any more but has twelve large windows forming ...
The location is Domplatz, Münster. The Place is the reconstructed wall at the west wing of the Dome. This was the previous entrance of the Dome before it was destroyed in the way. It does not have an entrance any more but has twelve large windows forming ...
W4586
25.05.2011
UEBERSCHRIEBEN (Transferred/ Overwritten) - Rudolf Herz / Reinhard Matz
WWW
UEBERSCHRIEBEN (Transferred/ Overwritten) Memorial for the murdered European Jews Outline 1997 Preliminary remarks Our proposal UEBERSCHRIEBEN draws its impetus from the failure of the traditional art of memorials and the manifold problems deriving f ...
UEBERSCHRIEBEN (Transferred/ Overwritten) Memorial for the murdered European Jews Outline 1997 Preliminary remarks Our proposal UEBERSCHRIEBEN draws its impetus from the failure of the traditional art of memorials and the manifold problems deriving f ...
W4457
25.05.2011
Bamboo Treehouse Project summary  - Suwan Laimanee
WWW
Bamboo Treehouse Project summary Bamboo Treehouse is a site-specific performance intended to provide an inspirational example of sustainable living to both the local and global population alike. The project is an ongoing interactive experiment, explorin ...
Bamboo Treehouse Project summary Bamboo Treehouse is a site-specific performance intended to provide an inspirational example of sustainable living to both the local and global population alike. The project is an ongoing interactive experiment, explorin ...
W3757
18.05.2011
hotel de la gloria - Ivo Bonacorsi
WWW
hotel de la gloria an hotel &resort for artists ...
hotel de la gloria an hotel &resort for artists ...
W4807
07.08.2012
Wreck  - Boris Ondreička
WWW
sitting on the driver´s seat of the car wreck reading poems / singing lyrics aloud a couple having sex under that wreck 30 minutes 30 people listening / watching silently standing around and around midnight Wreck, Boris Ondreička ...
sitting on the driver´s seat of the car wreck reading poems / singing lyrics aloud a couple having sex under that wreck 30 minutes 30 people listening / watching silently standing around and around midnight Wreck, Boris Ondreička ...
W10370
17.04.2014
Redshift - Gabriel Rico
WWW
The proposal entitled "REDSHIFT" is a in situ-installation specific designed to mind all of the space of 'The Soap Factory' (12,000 sq feet) this installation course will function as a space within in another space, a place that feels like a corpuscular-o ...
The proposal entitled "REDSHIFT" is a in situ-installation specific designed to mind all of the space of 'The Soap Factory' (12,000 sq feet) this installation course will function as a space within in another space, a place that feels like a corpuscular-o ...
W4592
25.05.2011
Gap Ecology - David Brooks
WWW
Gap Ecology (5 Still Lives with Cherry Pickers and Palms) Conceptual Context: The current recession has halted dozens of construction projects around New York City at an alarming rate. The Building Trades Employersʼ Association is reporting nearly $5 b ...
Gap Ecology (5 Still Lives with Cherry Pickers and Palms) Conceptual Context: The current recession has halted dozens of construction projects around New York City at an alarming rate. The Building Trades Employersʼ Association is reporting nearly $5 b ...