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.

My House - Uri Tzaig

d'un projet dédié aux victimes de la Shoah. - Christian Boltanski

654 THINGS from The United States - Edward Ruscha

Uncompleted 1966 - and on  - John Armleder

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

The lmprobable Flow - Larry Bell

Visual Poem: Cap I Cua - Joan Brossa

La Guerra De Los Simbolos - Victor Grippo

Social Resource Project For the Munich Olympics - Stephen Willats

Broadway Musicals - Christian Marclay

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4568
25.05.2011
"Wire Tap"  - Dianne Bowen and Heins Kim
WWW
"Wire Tap" physical study I, 2008 2,500 steel dress pins, 200 feet heavy gauge copper phone wire, 150 feet steel elevator cable, 5 canvas panels, roughly 4,000 feet of varied data and thin phone wire, 200 feet plastic IV tubing, plastic bubbles, astr ...
"Wire Tap" physical study I, 2008 2,500 steel dress pins, 200 feet heavy gauge copper phone wire, 150 feet steel elevator cable, 5 canvas panels, roughly 4,000 feet of varied data and thin phone wire, 200 feet plastic IV tubing, plastic bubbles, astr ...
W4163
23.05.2011
iaround - Anna Martinou
WWW
iaround provides an interactive platform for artists, groups and collectives who commission work within the urban landscape. The platform serves both as documentation and a social media tool as it integrates the process iaround: http://www.iaround.co ...
iaround provides an interactive platform for artists, groups and collectives who commission work within the urban landscape. The platform serves both as documentation and a social media tool as it integrates the process iaround: http://www.iaround.co ...
W3730
18.05.2011
“Priceless”, a proposal - Ama Saru Hsiao Chen
WWW
A proposal for an art fair. The difference between collections initiated through private sector and public fund raises concern of artworks value. As when artwork is purchased by a collector, it automatically obtains market value for future economic act ...
A proposal for an art fair. The difference between collections initiated through private sector and public fund raises concern of artworks value. As when artwork is purchased by a collector, it automatically obtains market value for future economic act ...
W4217
24.05.2011
24 hours Suicide  - Costa Vece
WWW
24 hours Suicide von Costa Vece für Art Unlimited Basel 2003 24 hours Suicide: Das Wort Suicide (Selbstmord) wird temporär auf das grösste Gebäude der Schweiz, den Messeturm in Basel, während der Art Basel ‘03 angebracht. Der Mes ...
24 hours Suicide von Costa Vece für Art Unlimited Basel 2003 24 hours Suicide: Das Wort Suicide (Selbstmord) wird temporär auf das grösste Gebäude der Schweiz, den Messeturm in Basel, während der Art Basel ‘03 angebracht. Der Mes ...
W4124
23.05.2011
Here/There - Matthew Slaats
WWW
Here/There Matthew Slaats Project Proposal Here/There is a virtual 3D exploration of the spatial, temporal, economic and physical relationships between environments in North and South America. Project Description Here/There aims to illustr ...
Here/There Matthew Slaats Project Proposal Here/There is a virtual 3D exploration of the spatial, temporal, economic and physical relationships between environments in North and South America. Project Description Here/There aims to illustr ...
W3766
18.05.2011
francine LeClercq
WWW
image 1: Exit, local law 26, study for an un-threaded stair. image 2: study for spatial composition of laser levels in exhibition space ...
image 1: Exit, local law 26, study for an un-threaded stair. image 2: study for spatial composition of laser levels in exhibition space ...
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 ...
D10795
01.01.2000
Life Exchange - Carolina Caycedo
DAAD
This project consists in bartering your life for mine. Este proyecto consiste en intercambiar tu vida por la mía. Dieses Projekt besteht darin, Ihr Leben gegen meines zu tauschen. If interested please contact: Interesados contactar: Be ...
This project consists in bartering your life for mine. Este proyecto consiste en intercambiar tu vida por la mía. Dieses Projekt besteht darin, Ihr Leben gegen meines zu tauschen. If interested please contact: Interesados contactar: Be ...
W5427
20.10.2012
POINT 59 - hiramandirina
WWW
POINT 59 In July 1999, Irina Danilova with support of Arts Link CEC Partners went from New York to the only intersection of 59th Longitude and 59th latitude on land, in the Siberian woods of Ural mountains (3 other intersections sunk in the ocean ...
POINT 59 In July 1999, Irina Danilova with support of Arts Link CEC Partners went from New York to the only intersection of 59th Longitude and 59th latitude on land, in the Siberian woods of Ural mountains (3 other intersections sunk in the ocean ...
W4339
24.05.2011
On Loan - Julie Rafalski
WWW
On Loan Proposal: The entire collection of copies (222 books) of Thomas More’s Utopia that belong to the British Library will be borrowed for a given time period.* All copies of the book will be physically removed from the library on a given ...
On Loan Proposal: The entire collection of copies (222 books) of Thomas More’s Utopia that belong to the British Library will be borrowed for a given time period.* All copies of the book will be physically removed from the library on a given ...
W4051
22.05.2011
stoop - leo Morrissey
WWW
stoop; concept inspired by the tradition of sitting on the front steps of homes and talking with neighbors that I experienced growing up in a row home in Philadelphia. I proposal to build a stoop: Approximately 64” high House shaped bench with two s ...
stoop; concept inspired by the tradition of sitting on the front steps of homes and talking with neighbors that I experienced growing up in a row home in Philadelphia. I proposal to build a stoop: Approximately 64” high House shaped bench with two s ...
W3539
11.05.2011
Grey Blob, 2010 - Alexandra Kennedy
WWW
Unrealised Project No. 2. Grey Blob, 2010. ‘Did you know that our planet is in imminent danger of being devoured by a giant grey blob? ...The world-consuming “grey goo” would actually be an uncontrollable mass of self-replicating, molecular- ...
Unrealised Project No. 2. Grey Blob, 2010. ‘Did you know that our planet is in imminent danger of being devoured by a giant grey blob? ...The world-consuming “grey goo” would actually be an uncontrollable mass of self-replicating, molecular- ...
U9988
01.10.1987
City Hall Tower Night Ilumination - Krysztof Wodiczko
Unbuilt Roads
"In the name of "progress" our official culture is striving to force the new media to do the work of the old." -Marshall McLuhan "For the city of today does speak to us, but it is also at certain points and in certain orders remarkably silent. There a ...
"In the name of "progress" our official culture is striving to force the new media to do the work of the old." -Marshall McLuhan "For the city of today does speak to us, but it is also at certain points and in certain orders remarkably silent. There a ...
W5300
17.10.2012
Armenie ville - Claudio Gobbi
WWW
Armenie ville * Armenie ville is a photo installation and artist's book project conceived originally during my artist's residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris in 2007, Year of Armenia in France. The images presented here are pages of the ...
Armenie ville * Armenie ville is a photo installation and artist's book project conceived originally during my artist's residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris in 2007, Year of Armenia in France. The images presented here are pages of the ...
W4301
24.05.2011
“UDLU” Underground Desert Living Unit - Reynard Loki
WWW
“UDLU” Underground Desert Living Unit The UDLU (Underground Desert Living Unit) is a conceptual single-family dwelling installed below the surface of a desert ecosystem. PROJECT Create and install “UDLU” demo house in the Chihuahuan Dese ...
“UDLU” Underground Desert Living Unit The UDLU (Underground Desert Living Unit) is a conceptual single-family dwelling installed below the surface of a desert ecosystem. PROJECT Create and install “UDLU” demo house in the Chihuahuan Dese ...
U9963
01.01.1994
Ruderaltisch, 1994/95 Kunst am Bau - Projekt - Lois Weinberger
Unbuilt Roads
Die Arbeit besteht aus einem Betontisch im Freien / auf dem erdgefüllte / allgegenwärtige Behälter / wie entleerte Öldosen / leere Farbkübel / „unverwüstliche Plastiksäcke" stehen. Eine Bepflanzung wird nicht vorgenommen / da die im Freiland ...
Die Arbeit besteht aus einem Betontisch im Freien / auf dem erdgefüllte / allgegenwärtige Behälter / wie entleerte Öldosen / leere Farbkübel / „unverwüstliche Plastiksäcke" stehen. Eine Bepflanzung wird nicht vorgenommen / da die im Freiland ...
W4068
23.05.2011
Alishia Duncanson
WWW
Title: “Mission Impossible 1” Materials: Wood and M.D.F board Corridor space containing 5- 20 drawings in space, creating semi obstructed spaces to be engaged with by the viewer. The work asks the viewer to investigate both space and time as each ...
Title: “Mission Impossible 1” Materials: Wood and M.D.F board Corridor space containing 5- 20 drawings in space, creating semi obstructed spaces to be engaged with by the viewer. The work asks the viewer to investigate both space and time as each ...
U9973
23.01.1993
Brücke Wein-Kanal Arch. Hermann Czech, Wein - Franz West
Unbuilt Roads
Denen, die in dieselben Flüsse steigen, fließen immer neue Wasser zu , und (immer neue) Seelen entsteigen der Feuchtigkeit. Heraklit, Fragment 12[1] Linkes Brückenauflager Ansicht Nordwest M 1:33 ...
Denen, die in dieselben Flüsse steigen, fließen immer neue Wasser zu , und (immer neue) Seelen entsteigen der Feuchtigkeit. Heraklit, Fragment 12[1] Linkes Brückenauflager Ansicht Nordwest M 1:33 ...
W3625
14.05.2011
Radical Artist Workshop (RAW) - Radical Artist Workshop
WWW
Conceived in 2007, Radical Artist Workshop (RAW) is a blog of proposed projects and fictitious/real testimonials that question notions of radicality in contemporary art. ...
Conceived in 2007, Radical Artist Workshop (RAW) is a blog of proposed projects and fictitious/real testimonials that question notions of radicality in contemporary art. ...
W4805
07.08.2012
MATTHEW ROSE
WWW
Where Does It Itch? is a project involving 100 of my framed collage works aligned in grid or horizon on a wall. Originally slated for Ogilvy Mather Direct as a proposal, it was abandoned. This PDF is that original proposal. Matthew Rose is an Americ ...
Where Does It Itch? is a project involving 100 of my framed collage works aligned in grid or horizon on a wall. Originally slated for Ogilvy Mather Direct as a proposal, it was abandoned. This PDF is that original proposal. Matthew Rose is an Americ ...
W4861
09.08.2012
Aviation Memories - Alexander Hahn
WWW
Aviation Memories. Response to an 1986 open call for an installation proposal by Real Art Ways in Hartford, CT. Instead of the usual sketches, I submitted a simulation of the proposed project on video tape using the Macintosh program Mac Draw and the Fair ...
Aviation Memories. Response to an 1986 open call for an installation proposal by Real Art Ways in Hartford, CT. Instead of the usual sketches, I submitted a simulation of the proposed project on video tape using the Macintosh program Mac Draw and the Fair ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
W4848
08.08.2012
Human/ Animal: Mandibulae - Carla Lombardo
WWW
Human/ Animal. Mandibulae installation. “Mandibulae installation” is part of the body of work “Human/ Animal” I have been doing since last year. At the moment this project installation that consists of a family of 5 pieces is postponed. The pi ...
Human/ Animal. Mandibulae installation. “Mandibulae installation” is part of the body of work “Human/ Animal” I have been doing since last year. At the moment this project installation that consists of a family of 5 pieces is postponed. The pi ...
W4706
26.05.2011
Subway Turnstile Sounds - Sasha Sumner
WWW
Subway Turnstile Sounds - Sasha Sumner © 2011 Imagine paying/swiping your subway card, and instead of hearing the generic beep of the NYC subway turnstile, you hear a strange or beautiful or fun sound. In a row of turnstiles, as more people go through, ...
Subway Turnstile Sounds - Sasha Sumner © 2011 Imagine paying/swiping your subway card, and instead of hearing the generic beep of the NYC subway turnstile, you hear a strange or beautiful or fun sound. In a row of turnstiles, as more people go through, ...