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.

Billboard - Jimmie Durham

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

Monument to Democracy - Kounellis

City Hall Tower Night Ilumination - Krysztof Wodiczko

Fax Transmission - Raymond Pettibone and Jason Rhoades

Art and Ourselves: A Proposal for the city of Nordhorn - Allen Rupperssberg

Making for Art - 100 Unsucceeded Presentation - 1995, 1996,  - Yutaka Sone

Broadway Musicals - Christian Marclay

Entwurf für einen erneuerten Malkasten 1992 - 1994 - Ulrike Holthöfer

Unrealized Turtles 1967 - Joseph Grigely

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W3685
16.05.2011
Core Dump for a Crashed Planet  - Julian Priest
WWW
Core Dump for a Crashed Planet was a proposal for the 2008 Climate Clock project in San Jose, California. The brief was for a public art piece that created a feedback mechanism to make the process of climate change visible to the public. ...
Core Dump for a Crashed Planet was a proposal for the 2008 Climate Clock project in San Jose, California. The brief was for a public art piece that created a feedback mechanism to make the process of climate change visible to the public. ...
W4153
23.05.2011
Unrealized Projects 1997 —2002 - Cornford & Cross
WWW
For us, a key function of contemporary art in an open society is to test concepts, assumptions and boundaries. One way we do this is through making site-specific work in public places; our projects are often satirical or polemic in nature, and involve a d ...
For us, a key function of contemporary art in an open society is to test concepts, assumptions and boundaries. One way we do this is through making site-specific work in public places; our projects are often satirical or polemic in nature, and involve a d ...
W4026
22.05.2011
Lucia Cullinane Garcia
WWW
Paintings made with mainly acrylics and mix media, such a 3d effects on them. Stunning to look at and very provocative. Public in general love them and they always attract loads of attention. Different, unique and original they have been descrived. Lu ...
Paintings made with mainly acrylics and mix media, such a 3d effects on them. Stunning to look at and very provocative. Public in general love them and they always attract loads of attention. Different, unique and original they have been descrived. Lu ...
W4654
25.05.2011
City of Revolutions - Stefanos Tsivopoulos
WWW
City of Revolutions An unrealized project by Stefanos Tsivopoulos "Whoever could be in charge of the public sphere of Tehran was in charge of the country. The contest over, and the domination of, the public spaces of the city was the embodiment of the ...
City of Revolutions An unrealized project by Stefanos Tsivopoulos "Whoever could be in charge of the public sphere of Tehran was in charge of the country. The contest over, and the domination of, the public spaces of the city was the embodiment of the ...
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 ...
W4939
19.08.2012
Horizontal Fall - Julia Davis
WWW
JULIA DAVIS 2012 Unrealized Project: HORIZONTAL FALL 13 minute HD Video, Four channel surround sound A ten-minute video shot in the restricted access area of the Wieliczka Salt mine in Poland 2009 is projected in a 3.5m diameter area on the floor o ...
JULIA DAVIS 2012 Unrealized Project: HORIZONTAL FALL 13 minute HD Video, Four channel surround sound A ten-minute video shot in the restricted access area of the Wieliczka Salt mine in Poland 2009 is projected in a 3.5m diameter area on the floor o ...
W5132
19.09.2012
Leo Morrissey
WWW
Leo Morrissey 310 West 4th Street 1107 Winston Salem NC, 27101 USA 336-473 –3888 Leomorrissey58@hotmail.com Lmorrissey22@hotmail.com Project Concept – (Summary/Description ) Create a postcard in an edition of 8875 (representing the popula ...
Leo Morrissey 310 West 4th Street 1107 Winston Salem NC, 27101 USA 336-473 –3888 Leomorrissey58@hotmail.com Lmorrissey22@hotmail.com Project Concept – (Summary/Description ) Create a postcard in an edition of 8875 (representing the popula ...
W3781
18.05.2011
Squatting Abandoned Villages - Hannah Kaihovirta-Rosvik
WWW
The vision was that this art project would examine how to visualize contemporary art in a rural area and to make a social art project involving local community in art. Brief project concept The Social Art Project IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE is an artist ...
The vision was that this art project would examine how to visualize contemporary art in a rural area and to make a social art project involving local community in art. Brief project concept The Social Art Project IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE is an artist ...
W4423
25.05.2011
Suspended in the Void  - Juan G. Caicedo D.
WWW
Suspended in the Void In the courtyard of the building, on the corner between the northern and eastern façades there is a balcony. In front of it a large object is suspended, it is not a magical event, it does not float miraculously: it hangs from a re ...
Suspended in the Void In the courtyard of the building, on the corner between the northern and eastern façades there is a balcony. In front of it a large object is suspended, it is not a magical event, it does not float miraculously: it hangs from a re ...
W5246
10.10.2012
Wrap buildings - Iain McPherson
WWW
Project: Wrap buildings. Everything is packaged, transport is branded, so how long before we wrap buildings? 2 mock ups of wrapped buildings in London and Tokyo. ...
Project: Wrap buildings. Everything is packaged, transport is branded, so how long before we wrap buildings? 2 mock ups of wrapped buildings in London and Tokyo. ...
W4315
24.05.2011
Catherine Vieira
WWW
For this public art installation, Invisible border, Paris-based artist Catherine Vieira proposes installing along East River State Park in Brooklyn a four layers of mesh fabric tent. ...
For this public art installation, Invisible border, Paris-based artist Catherine Vieira proposes installing along East River State Park in Brooklyn a four layers of mesh fabric tent. ...
W4293
24.05.2011
BATIBURRILLO(S) - BATIBURRILLOS
WWW
BATIBURRILLO(S) According to the Dictionary of the Royal Academy of Spanish Language (RAE) ‘Batiburrillo(s)’ means: 1. m. Mezcla de cosas, especialmente de guisados, que no dicen bien unas con otras. 1. m. Mixture of things, especially stews, t ...
BATIBURRILLO(S) According to the Dictionary of the Royal Academy of Spanish Language (RAE) ‘Batiburrillo(s)’ means: 1. m. Mezcla de cosas, especialmente de guisados, que no dicen bien unas con otras. 1. m. Mixture of things, especially stews, t ...
W3574
12.05.2011
Intravenous Robot Painting Arm Extension Version #1 - Peter T. Christenson
WWW
The proposed unrealized project tentatively titled Intravenous Robot Painting Arm Extension Version #1 would be comprised of IV tubing and a variation of my microbot—an amoeba of a robot built with a paintbrush, a 3VDC Micro Vibration Motor, and a 3V l ...
The proposed unrealized project tentatively titled Intravenous Robot Painting Arm Extension Version #1 would be comprised of IV tubing and a variation of my microbot—an amoeba of a robot built with a paintbrush, a 3VDC Micro Vibration Motor, and a 3V l ...
W4513
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 ...
W3512
11.05.2011
5. giugno 2008 - JACOPO CANDOTTI
WWW
giugno 2008 Lui è in grado di definire tutto e non si sbaglia mai.Da quando decido di affrontare qualsiasi problema, c’è sempre lui a consigliarmi e forse è il mio miglior amico di sempre. Ogni volta mi porta a pensare di essere giunto ad un ri ...
giugno 2008 Lui è in grado di definire tutto e non si sbaglia mai.Da quando decido di affrontare qualsiasi problema, c’è sempre lui a consigliarmi e forse è il mio miglior amico di sempre. Ogni volta mi porta a pensare di essere giunto ad un ri ...
W3920
20.05.2011
Sameena Azam
WWW
The idealization of a perceived space is explored through the use of fluid materials. Materials of a liquid consistency have ‘no fixed shape and yield to external pressure’. The use of such materials has enabled for movement to be captured. ...
The idealization of a perceived space is explored through the use of fluid materials. Materials of a liquid consistency have ‘no fixed shape and yield to external pressure’. The use of such materials has enabled for movement to be captured. ...
W4134
23.05.2011
The Order of Reflections - Jerzy Olek
WWW
Jerzy Olek The Order of Reflections In former centuries in order to transpose a view onto a piece of paper draughtsmen used a frames screen divided into square sections. They observed the view through their perspective machine, and built their pictu ...
Jerzy Olek The Order of Reflections In former centuries in order to transpose a view onto a piece of paper draughtsmen used a frames screen divided into square sections. They observed the view through their perspective machine, and built their pictu ...
W4620
25.05.2011
Valeska Peschke
WWW
W4738
26.05.2011
Boxing Meese - Nadja Verena Marcin
WWW
Boxing Meese _ Nadja Verena Marcin _ 2006 This poster with the written information, see below, was papered all over the Auguststrasse in Berlin-Mitte in 2006. Du bist angeklagt! Du hast Herrn Blum beleidigt! Herr Blum ist unschuldig!... Gesicht zeige ...
Boxing Meese _ Nadja Verena Marcin _ 2006 This poster with the written information, see below, was papered all over the Auguststrasse in Berlin-Mitte in 2006. Du bist angeklagt! Du hast Herrn Blum beleidigt! Herr Blum ist unschuldig!... Gesicht zeige ...
W5442
20.10.2012
GAZING BALL - Ann Daly
WWW
Ann Daly adaly@aya.yale.edu BUILDING DRAWING IV: "GAZING BALL" for the Crystal Palace, Retiro Park, Madrid, Spain: A giant stainless steel ball fabrication. Mirror-like surface reflects 'nature' - the surroundings- architecture-etc. An 'image' co ...
Ann Daly adaly@aya.yale.edu BUILDING DRAWING IV: "GAZING BALL" for the Crystal Palace, Retiro Park, Madrid, Spain: A giant stainless steel ball fabrication. Mirror-like surface reflects 'nature' - the surroundings- architecture-etc. An 'image' co ...
W4709
26.05.2011
A Sculpture on Another Sculpture - Eduardo Villanueva
WWW
A SCULPTURE ON ANOTHER SCULPTURE An artwork by Eduardo Villanueva. Through the appropriation of an existing sculpture, I will intervene the same sculpture by altering it and doing another sculpture above the pre-existing one, acting as the pattern of ...
A SCULPTURE ON ANOTHER SCULPTURE An artwork by Eduardo Villanueva. Through the appropriation of an existing sculpture, I will intervene the same sculpture by altering it and doing another sculpture above the pre-existing one, acting as the pattern of ...
W5169
26.09.2012
The winnipeg free museum  - Kendra Place
WWW
The winnipeg free museum (2009–2010) was an impossible, dividual artists' project. If Museums are being built as walled inspiration, promising experience and claiming to face the (carceral/) future, would the non-built or dematerialized, situated within ...
The winnipeg free museum (2009–2010) was an impossible, dividual artists' project. If Museums are being built as walled inspiration, promising experience and claiming to face the (carceral/) future, would the non-built or dematerialized, situated within ...
W3917
20.05.2011
Europe Park / sculpture and landscape - THEODOULOS Gregoriou
WWW
The proposal was prepared for the international sculpture and landscaping competition for the Europe Park, which the Municipality of Nicosia (Cyprus) held in 2006 for the design of a grove on a central road in Nicosia. The motive was the accession of Cypr ...
The proposal was prepared for the international sculpture and landscaping competition for the Europe Park, which the Municipality of Nicosia (Cyprus) held in 2006 for the design of a grove on a central road in Nicosia. The motive was the accession of Cypr ...
W4598
25.05.2011
Fitting Through A Hole - Michael Arata
WWW
Fitting Through A Hole The work allows the viewer to interpret the larger form as penetrating the hole in the lid of a five gallon paint bucket or alternately being secreted into the bucket. Michael Arata, 2004 ...
Fitting Through A Hole The work allows the viewer to interpret the larger form as penetrating the hole in the lid of a five gallon paint bucket or alternately being secreted into the bucket. Michael Arata, 2004 ...
W5902
18.10.2013
Waterland - Matthijs Muller
WWW
Waterland is floating like a boat but has the appearance of an island. The busy city life suggested by the lampposts and traffic signs is alienated by the flexibility of the islands ground surface. Every wave in the water makes the pavement and poles mov ...
Waterland is floating like a boat but has the appearance of an island. The busy city life suggested by the lampposts and traffic signs is alienated by the flexibility of the islands ground surface. Every wave in the water makes the pavement and poles mov ...
W4228
24.05.2011
Sacred Sister - Bettina WitteVeen
WWW
Sacred Sister by Bettina WitteVeen GLOSSARY AMAZONS: Society of women warriors whose kingdom was believed to be to the north of the civilized world and who tolerated men only as servants or as father of female children. They cut off one breast i ...
Sacred Sister by Bettina WitteVeen GLOSSARY AMAZONS: Society of women warriors whose kingdom was believed to be to the north of the civilized world and who tolerated men only as servants or as father of female children. They cut off one breast i ...