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.

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

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

A House of Dust - Alison Knowles

den anonymen Tod ausstellen - Gregor Schneider

Messages to the Public - Nancy Spero

Billboard - Jimmie Durham

My House - Uri Tzaig

Battery Park City - Per Kirkeby

Unrealized Turtles 1967 - Joseph Grigely

Entwurf für einen erneuerten Malkasten 1992 - 1994 - Ulrike Holthöfer

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
#
Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4691
26.05.2011
ZOE MACKLER
WWW
George W. Bush Indicted for Crimes Against Humanity ...
George W. Bush Indicted for Crimes Against Humanity ...
W5754
21.05.2013
Like birds on the water - Laura Carthew
WWW
Laura Carthew Like birds on the water, Propositional Photo montage of a performance. 2011 This piece was going to be a continuation of my ‘Living Memorial’ project (2011), which involved people acting as objects within memorial forms. I wanted ...
Laura Carthew Like birds on the water, Propositional Photo montage of a performance. 2011 This piece was going to be a continuation of my ‘Living Memorial’ project (2011), which involved people acting as objects within memorial forms. I wanted ...
U9258
01.01.1966
Uncompleted 1966 - and on  - John Armleder
Unbuilt Roads
I have not kept track of most of my umcompleted projects (and many of the completed ones - ) I believe this is quite alright - Most of what has never been done was either to boring, inconvenient, incorrect, or whatever - no regrets. Some projects made h ...
I have not kept track of most of my umcompleted projects (and many of the completed ones - ) I believe this is quite alright - Most of what has never been done was either to boring, inconvenient, incorrect, or whatever - no regrets. Some projects made h ...
W4281
24.05.2011
veronique bellavista
WWW
To whom it may concern: Sorry to send this in French, for lack of time since we are the 24th of May, and I had knowledge of your offer only today. I also hope this material will get some protection, since it is indeed a project that has not been ...
To whom it may concern: Sorry to send this in French, for lack of time since we are the 24th of May, and I had knowledge of your offer only today. I also hope this material will get some protection, since it is indeed a project that has not been ...
W4647
25.05.2011
Este No Es Refugio Para Jornaleros - Jenny Polak
WWW
Este No Es Refugio Para Jornaleros A 2008 proposal for Corona Plaza, Queens, by Jenny Polak Invited by the Queens Museum of Art. The 103 st. 7 station connects Corona to the train known by some as the Immigrant Express. I want to put a small camoufla ...
Este No Es Refugio Para Jornaleros A 2008 proposal for Corona Plaza, Queens, by Jenny Polak Invited by the Queens Museum of Art. The 103 st. 7 station connects Corona to the train known by some as the Immigrant Express. I want to put a small camoufla ...
W5083
08.09.2012
Safety for 24 hours - tat ort (Alexandra Berlinger, Wolfgang Fiel)
WWW
Commissioned by curator Thomas Kaestle on behalf of the city of Hannover, the project - among others – was expected to invigorate the discourse on public art in general as well as to provide an example for the future development of public art initiative ...
Commissioned by curator Thomas Kaestle on behalf of the city of Hannover, the project - among others – was expected to invigorate the discourse on public art in general as well as to provide an example for the future development of public art initiative ...
W5367
19.10.2012
STATIC REVOLVER - Jessie Stead
WWW
Known for bad food but impressive panoramas, hundreds of revolving restaurants rotate imperceptibly on oversized turntables high above cities worldwide. This unrealized project is an experimental motion picture. ...
Known for bad food but impressive panoramas, hundreds of revolving restaurants rotate imperceptibly on oversized turntables high above cities worldwide. This unrealized project is an experimental motion picture. ...
W3804
18.05.2011
Joanne Tatham & Tom O'Sullivan
WWW
"An experience being an experience like an experience you just had" was an unsuccessful proposal for the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. ...
"An experience being an experience like an experience you just had" was an unsuccessful proposal for the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. ...
W3670
15.05.2011
Kay Swiss
WWW
This work was proposed for a group show I was slated to be in at a university art gallery which will remain unnamed. Ultimately this work was not allowed to be installed in this form because the gallery directors were concerned the work might offend guest ...
This work was proposed for a group show I was slated to be in at a university art gallery which will remain unnamed. Ultimately this work was not allowed to be installed in this form because the gallery directors were concerned the work might offend guest ...
W3797
18.05.2011
Kerry Stuart Coppin
WWW
An unrealized project, submitted to the Agency of Unrealized Projects (AUP), May 18, 20011: PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION OF THE STONE CIRCLES OF SENEGAL AND THE GAMBIA ...
An unrealized project, submitted to the Agency of Unrealized Projects (AUP), May 18, 20011: PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION OF THE STONE CIRCLES OF SENEGAL AND THE GAMBIA ...
W4585
25.05.2011
land in sight! / land? - Ulrich Ludat
WWW
land in sight! / land? [2011#02] Multimedia-based installation / performance Project description In a container1, of which the doors are opened at an angle of ca. 45°, there are 13 vacuum cleaners2. At the end of the container there is a projection scr ...
land in sight! / land? [2011#02] Multimedia-based installation / performance Project description In a container1, of which the doors are opened at an angle of ca. 45°, there are 13 vacuum cleaners2. At the end of the container there is a projection scr ...
W3615
13.05.2011
In the Realm of Self - Shaun David Myles
WWW
Sculptural installation: This installation is an offshoot from a project developed over a number of years using the symbol of the heart, explored through multiple materials, for an investigation of the human condition. The two sculptures here, each ...
Sculptural installation: This installation is an offshoot from a project developed over a number of years using the symbol of the heart, explored through multiple materials, for an investigation of the human condition. The two sculptures here, each ...
W4763
28.05.2011
Postpone - Postpone
WWW
Postpone is a creative agency, not yet created (but coming soon) gathering smart artistic workers operating in design, film and photography. The agency (T.M., O.Q., Y.B. and A. the secretary) are based in Oslo, London and Provence. Very near from some of ...
Postpone is a creative agency, not yet created (but coming soon) gathering smart artistic workers operating in design, film and photography. The agency (T.M., O.Q., Y.B. and A. the secretary) are based in Oslo, London and Provence. Very near from some of ...
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 ...
W5005
30.08.2012
Hanover House - Peter Friedl
WWW
Peter Friedl, Hanover House, 2003 Proposal for Hanover 5 inkjet prints, 100 x 133 cm each Hanover House (2003) Treehouses are common images and objects of desire for individualism, dropping out, childhood, being in tune with nature, self-determin ...
Peter Friedl, Hanover House, 2003 Proposal for Hanover 5 inkjet prints, 100 x 133 cm each Hanover House (2003) Treehouses are common images and objects of desire for individualism, dropping out, childhood, being in tune with nature, self-determin ...
W3481
11.05.2011
Experiments In Organza - Helen Maher
WWW
Press release. Helen maher. ‘Experiments In Organza’ Textile Sculptor, living & working in London. Current project, ‘Experiments in Organza’, investigates the interaction between Primary Elements- Solids, Liquids & Gases & Secondary Elem ...
Press release. Helen maher. ‘Experiments In Organza’ Textile Sculptor, living & working in London. Current project, ‘Experiments in Organza’, investigates the interaction between Primary Elements- Solids, Liquids & Gases & Secondary Elem ...
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 ...
W3729
18.05.2011
“Minaret” - Felippe Moraes
WWW
The installation “Minaret” is constituted by a single scaffold 7m high with 2 pairs of stereo speakers in its top emitting simultaneously an African drum counting the prime numbers starting 2, 3, 5, 7, 11… going up to … 89, 97, 101 ...
The installation “Minaret” is constituted by a single scaffold 7m high with 2 pairs of stereo speakers in its top emitting simultaneously an African drum counting the prime numbers starting 2, 3, 5, 7, 11… going up to … 89, 97, 101 ...
W5462
21.10.2012
Danses - Kevin Evensen
WWW
Danses is a single channel digital video, comprised of three pieces, looped together to create a linear digital tryptic. The sound is an electro acoustic digital piece performed and arranged by myself, based on Erik Satie's Gymnopodies. TITLE Danses ...
Danses is a single channel digital video, comprised of three pieces, looped together to create a linear digital tryptic. The sound is an electro acoustic digital piece performed and arranged by myself, based on Erik Satie's Gymnopodies. TITLE Danses ...
W4257
24.05.2011
PROPOSAL FOR THE NEW COLUMBUS AVENUE COMMUNITY ENTRANCE PLAZA 1998 - Kristin Jones / Andrew Ginzel
WWW
KRISTIN JONES / ANDREW GINZEL PROPOSAL FOR THE NEW COLUMBUS AVENUE COMMUNITY ENTRANCE PLAZA 1998 American Museum of Natural History, New York City. Proposal for the new Columbus Avenue Community Entrance Plaza. Polsheck and Partners, Architects ...
KRISTIN JONES / ANDREW GINZEL PROPOSAL FOR THE NEW COLUMBUS AVENUE COMMUNITY ENTRANCE PLAZA 1998 American Museum of Natural History, New York City. Proposal for the new Columbus Avenue Community Entrance Plaza. Polsheck and Partners, Architects ...
W4996
30.08.2012
Chinese American Flag - Maarten Daudeij
WWW
(Working) Title: Chinese American Flag Artist: Maarten Daudeij (The Netherlands, Australia) Year of origination of idea: 2011 Concept: To wave a large size flag of which the design is a collage of the Chinese and the American Flag on top of the Museum ...
(Working) Title: Chinese American Flag Artist: Maarten Daudeij (The Netherlands, Australia) Year of origination of idea: 2011 Concept: To wave a large size flag of which the design is a collage of the Chinese and the American Flag on top of the Museum ...
W3986
21.05.2011
EMOTIONAL SPACE - sculptor PhD, Aili Vahtrapuu, disainer Janika Vesberg
WWW
Project for Venice XII International Architectural Biennale : People meet in Architecture. An interactive installation to analyse and combine the aural and the visual STATEMENT : PEOPLE MEET IN ARCHITECTURE Venice XII International Architectural ...
Project for Venice XII International Architectural Biennale : People meet in Architecture. An interactive installation to analyse and combine the aural and the visual STATEMENT : PEOPLE MEET IN ARCHITECTURE Venice XII International Architectural ...
W5414
20.10.2012
We called it a modest proposal - gerlach en koop
WWW
We called it a modest proposal We called it a modest proposal when we presented it, one morning, end of January 2008, at the headquarters of Europol, Raamweg 47 in The Hague (NL), a building almost completely hidden behind a dense thicket of ivy. A rad ...
We called it a modest proposal We called it a modest proposal when we presented it, one morning, end of January 2008, at the headquarters of Europol, Raamweg 47 in The Hague (NL), a building almost completely hidden behind a dense thicket of ivy. A rad ...
W4184
24.05.2011
A POCKET FULL OF EMPTY - amalia caputo
WWW
PROJECT FOR EXHIBITION “A POCKET FULL OF EMPTY” By Amalia Caputo BRIEF DESCRIPTION This exhibition is a solo show, conceived as an interactive installation of variable dimensions that will take over the main area of an exhibition space. It is ...
PROJECT FOR EXHIBITION “A POCKET FULL OF EMPTY” By Amalia Caputo BRIEF DESCRIPTION This exhibition is a solo show, conceived as an interactive installation of variable dimensions that will take over the main area of an exhibition space. It is ...
W4826
07.08.2012
Fake It ‘Til You Make It - Sean Montgomery and Eric Simon
WWW
Sean Montgomery and Eric Simon - Fake It ‘Til You Make It Artist Biographies Omark van Pechstein Though van Pechstein has a genius-level intellect, an excellent memory and a profound gift for sculpture, for most of his life he worked as a janitor a ...
Sean Montgomery and Eric Simon - Fake It ‘Til You Make It Artist Biographies Omark van Pechstein Though van Pechstein has a genius-level intellect, an excellent memory and a profound gift for sculpture, for most of his life he worked as a janitor a ...
W4823
07.08.2012
Outstretched Arms - Todd Williamson
WWW
"Outstretched Arms" is a project that was originally conceived in 2009 for a university show. It features a 4ft diameter hanging painting that slowly rotates with the air currents. It also features a 10 minute commissioned work of music that supports ...
"Outstretched Arms" is a project that was originally conceived in 2009 for a university show. It features a 4ft diameter hanging painting that slowly rotates with the air currents. It also features a 10 minute commissioned work of music that supports ...