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.

Financial Times Millennium Bridge Competition - Richard Serra and Frank Gehry

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

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

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

The World Record - General Idea

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

Festival du film de famille - Pierre Huyghe

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

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

La Guerra De Los Simbolos - Victor Grippo

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W5036
01.09.2012
The Woodsquat Commemorative Pool Party - Gabriel Saloman
WWW
Gabriel Saloman The Woodsquat Commemorative Pool Party In the Fall of 2011, in response to call for artworks that addressed the site-specificity of Simon Fraser University's new campus in the heart of Vancouver's impoverished and turbulent Downtown ...
Gabriel Saloman The Woodsquat Commemorative Pool Party In the Fall of 2011, in response to call for artworks that addressed the site-specificity of Simon Fraser University's new campus in the heart of Vancouver's impoverished and turbulent Downtown ...
W11076
07.04.2016
Temple of Modern Virtue - Vilja Achté
WWW
My work revolves around the relevance of the intentionally incomplete state as a method of production in art and design practice. The term itself is an adaptation of the Renaissance term ‘non-finito’, which quite literally means ‘not finished’, an ...
My work revolves around the relevance of the intentionally incomplete state as a method of production in art and design practice. The term itself is an adaptation of the Renaissance term ‘non-finito’, which quite literally means ‘not finished’, an ...
W5369
19.10.2012
University of Toledo
Centennial Mall Legacy - Stephen Canneto
WWW
Progney, Competition winning proposal the the University of Toledo, Ohio's public art program. Progeny is inspired by the University of Toledo’s Legacy program. The sculpture’s site engendered forms, materials, location and functions reflect the U ...
Progney, Competition winning proposal the the University of Toledo, Ohio's public art program. Progeny is inspired by the University of Toledo’s Legacy program. The sculpture’s site engendered forms, materials, location and functions reflect the U ...
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 ...
U9816
05.02.1990
The pyramids...to be seen to be believed - Jonathan Monk
Unbuilt Roads
Glasgow 1990 Cultural Capital of Europe 5 February 1990 Mr Jonathan Monk 22 Cecil Street Hillhead Glasgow G12 8RH Dear Jonathan Monk Thank you very much for your exciting letter concerning your proposed project for this year namely ...
Glasgow 1990 Cultural Capital of Europe 5 February 1990 Mr Jonathan Monk 22 Cecil Street Hillhead Glasgow G12 8RH Dear Jonathan Monk Thank you very much for your exciting letter concerning your proposed project for this year namely ...
W5429
20.10.2012
imagined spaces - Stephen Cruise
WWW
Series entitled ‘imagined spaces’ begun in 2005 On-going. New works generated when site and form find their place. Stephen Cruise Willow dale ON Canada Image One 1 Raymond Drive - a re-visitation to a childhood home Image Two Blooming ...
Series entitled ‘imagined spaces’ begun in 2005 On-going. New works generated when site and form find their place. Stephen Cruise Willow dale ON Canada Image One 1 Raymond Drive - a re-visitation to a childhood home Image Two Blooming ...
W5336
18.10.2012
ONE HELLUVA NIGHTMARE - Hanínga Thiel
WWW
Proposal for the Berlin Biennale 2012, ignored by curators (I got no rejection, not even a message whatsoever) ONE HELLUVA NIGHTMARE Dimensions: appr. 3 x 3 m (variable, can be adjusted accordingly to space). Living in the area around Gorleben, Nie ...
Proposal for the Berlin Biennale 2012, ignored by curators (I got no rejection, not even a message whatsoever) ONE HELLUVA NIGHTMARE Dimensions: appr. 3 x 3 m (variable, can be adjusted accordingly to space). Living in the area around Gorleben, Nie ...
W4684
26.05.2011
forever pets  - Gregory Alan Thornbury
WWW
forever pets The other day I found myself delighted with how well behaved my friends dog was. Their dog, Molly, was not up on the couch sniffing my crotch or licking me in the face, but laid neatly curled asleep beside the hearth. After an hour of uni ...
forever pets The other day I found myself delighted with how well behaved my friends dog was. Their dog, Molly, was not up on the couch sniffing my crotch or licking me in the face, but laid neatly curled asleep beside the hearth. After an hour of uni ...
W5233
08.10.2012
Surface Enlightenment - Bill Vielehr
WWW
Titled "Surface Enlightenment," this piece consists of two wall reliefs, each of which is 4' high x 30' long x 4" deep. They are made of cast & fabricated aluminum with highly reflective textured surfaces. Bill Vielehr PO Box 19734 Boulder, CO 80308-27 ...
Titled "Surface Enlightenment," this piece consists of two wall reliefs, each of which is 4' high x 30' long x 4" deep. They are made of cast & fabricated aluminum with highly reflective textured surfaces. Bill Vielehr PO Box 19734 Boulder, CO 80308-27 ...
W3754
18.05.2011
DATENRAUM DEUTSCHLAND (GERMANY DATA SPACE) (A TOPOGRAPHIC, NON-NARRATIVE INFORMATION COLLAGE / VIDEO INSTALLATION) - Ira Schneider
WWW
With support from the Fulbright Commission, Ira Schneider has produced a video installation which in one space presents the historic and contemporary German contribution to world culture. A map of Germany with its 16 federal states (Bundeslands) is tra ...
With support from the Fulbright Commission, Ira Schneider has produced a video installation which in one space presents the historic and contemporary German contribution to world culture. A map of Germany with its 16 federal states (Bundeslands) is tra ...
W4478
25.05.2011
Carlos Aranda Márquez
WWW
What does it mean Estados Unidos Mexicanos? I always wanted to form a drawing of Oaxaca, the state where I was born,with members of the Red Soviet Army singing Canción Mixteca, a song I assumed it was composed by Ricardo Flores Magón, while in prison, t ...
What does it mean Estados Unidos Mexicanos? I always wanted to form a drawing of Oaxaca, the state where I was born,with members of the Red Soviet Army singing Canción Mixteca, a song I assumed it was composed by Ricardo Flores Magón, while in prison, t ...
W10263
18.06.2014
Blue Spiral - Miklos Legrady
WWW
An urban transformation painting the smokestacks of downtown Toronto. ...
An urban transformation painting the smokestacks of downtown Toronto. ...
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 ...
W3792
18.05.2011
TYRE GARDEN - Agnieszka Wolodzko
WWW
Participatory action with a catastrophy in the background. My project is based on an assumption that in future, in result of economic / political / climatic crises, European cities, will surrender to a total degradation and it will gradually get a char ...
Participatory action with a catastrophy in the background. My project is based on an assumption that in future, in result of economic / political / climatic crises, European cities, will surrender to a total degradation and it will gradually get a char ...
W4468
25.05.2011
Bürger Schöpfung Ewigkeit  - Gabriele Juvan
WWW
Bürger Schöpfung Ewigkeit (i.e. Citizen Creation Eternity) is a site specific, temporary project conceived for ,Luisenburg‘ rock labyrinth (Felsenlabyrinth) next to the city of Wunsiedel on the German/Czech border: *Six eye-catching rocks on a loop tr ...
Bürger Schöpfung Ewigkeit (i.e. Citizen Creation Eternity) is a site specific, temporary project conceived for ,Luisenburg‘ rock labyrinth (Felsenlabyrinth) next to the city of Wunsiedel on the German/Czech border: *Six eye-catching rocks on a loop tr ...
W3608
13.05.2011
Jenny E. Balisle
WWW
My art begins with a mark or line inspired by patterns found in natural or manmade environments. My pen and ink drawings explore repetitions of line and organic forms, investigating the simplicity and complexity of gestures, marks, lines, and textures. ...
My art begins with a mark or line inspired by patterns found in natural or manmade environments. My pen and ink drawings explore repetitions of line and organic forms, investigating the simplicity and complexity of gestures, marks, lines, and textures. ...
W4842
08.08.2012
Hanan Shlonsky
WWW
An internet-art project, in which single socks from the first world are collected and sent to third-world countries infested with land-mines. This project will utilize both internet and regular mail. 1 My aunt had to have a Stool Examination. She ...
An internet-art project, in which single socks from the first world are collected and sent to third-world countries infested with land-mines. This project will utilize both internet and regular mail. 1 My aunt had to have a Stool Examination. She ...
W5004
30.08.2012
Gerd/Gerda - Peter Friedl
WWW
Peter Friedl Gerd/Gerda, 2002 Proposal “Art Competition Federal Chancellery”, Berlin, 2002 The project proposal (working title) attempts to quite consciously grasp the announced requirements, expectations, limitations, and goals as the materia ...
Peter Friedl Gerd/Gerda, 2002 Proposal “Art Competition Federal Chancellery”, Berlin, 2002 The project proposal (working title) attempts to quite consciously grasp the announced requirements, expectations, limitations, and goals as the materia ...
W4602
25.05.2011
Alexander Vaindorf
WWW
"In the Shadow of the Monument" 2009 PROPOSAL # 2 Images from the solo exhibition at Art Center Gävle, Sweden. And a temporary public monument "In the shadow of the double" in City Hall Courtyard in the city of Gävle, Sweden. more info http://a ...
"In the Shadow of the Monument" 2009 PROPOSAL # 2 Images from the solo exhibition at Art Center Gävle, Sweden. And a temporary public monument "In the shadow of the double" in City Hall Courtyard in the city of Gävle, Sweden. more info http://a ...
W5089
10.09.2012
Tal Ram On
WWW
Tal Ram On Resume Tal Ran On was born and raised in Kibutz Zikim, following graduation from one of Israeli finest army units, he went and studied film making. Between the years 1995 to 2005, Tal was filming and directing documentaries movies. At 2005, ...
Tal Ram On Resume Tal Ran On was born and raised in Kibutz Zikim, following graduation from one of Israeli finest army units, he went and studied film making. Between the years 1995 to 2005, Tal was filming and directing documentaries movies. At 2005, ...
W4479
25.05.2011
Hösl&Mihaljevic
WWW
Project: To print a whole issue of a newspaper, for example Sueddeutsche Zeitung, twice: First time only the pictures. Second time only the words. ...
Project: To print a whole issue of a newspaper, for example Sueddeutsche Zeitung, twice: First time only the pictures. Second time only the words. ...
W5456
20.10.2012
“short hi.stories” series - Plamen Yordanov
WWW
waste not art “short hi.stories” series 1995 – ongoing unrealized/unrealizable project intended for installation at the Serpentine Gallery, London (or any other museum that wishes to exhibit the project) by Plamen Yordanov descriptio ...
waste not art “short hi.stories” series 1995 – ongoing unrealized/unrealizable project intended for installation at the Serpentine Gallery, London (or any other museum that wishes to exhibit the project) by Plamen Yordanov descriptio ...
W5445
20.10.2012
I AM BEING SERIOUS, THIS IS SERIOUS. - Sarah Witt
WWW
Supplemental thoughts about this piece, and why it has remained an unrealized project A few months ago, I had a studio visit with a faculty member of the residency I was attending at the Banff Centre in Canada. He gave me some very poignant advice (I e ...
Supplemental thoughts about this piece, and why it has remained an unrealized project A few months ago, I had a studio visit with a faculty member of the residency I was attending at the Banff Centre in Canada. He gave me some very poignant advice (I e ...
W4534
25.05.2011
KOWTOW - ONE CHINA ONLY -- A LONELY EMPEROR - Vincent J.F. HUANG
WWW
KOWTOW ONE CHINA ONLY -- A LONELY EMPEROR VINCENT J.F. HUANG When China became the world’s second best economic entity, and when financial crisis strongly wounded every other nation’s economy, China’s emergence seemed to turn it into a global p ...
KOWTOW ONE CHINA ONLY -- A LONELY EMPEROR VINCENT J.F. HUANG When China became the world’s second best economic entity, and when financial crisis strongly wounded every other nation’s economy, China’s emergence seemed to turn it into a global p ...
W10936
22.06.2015
THORAX - Marion Inglessi
WWW
When we are sick, we are vulnerable. Increasingly assailed by medicine, we maintain a fearful and passive attitude towards our health and therapy, an attitude of hopeful expectation which often has an uncertain outcome. The Sotiria Project, Memory and ...
When we are sick, we are vulnerable. Increasingly assailed by medicine, we maintain a fearful and passive attitude towards our health and therapy, an attitude of hopeful expectation which often has an uncertain outcome. The Sotiria Project, Memory and ...
W5313
17.10.2012
“The Account” 2011 - Georgina Criddle
WWW
“The Account” 2011, is a detailed sketch and testimony of an unrealised installation project in a gas station in Berlin. The two pieces attempt to suspend the work in a potential space between fiction and reality. ...
“The Account” 2011, is a detailed sketch and testimony of an unrealised installation project in a gas station in Berlin. The two pieces attempt to suspend the work in a potential space between fiction and reality. ...