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.

Square Depression - Bruce Nauman

The Rosetta Garden - Gary Simmons

Arrangement Stroom HCBK Den Haag - Ange Leccia

"Ileana, I love you" - Maurizo Cattelan

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

Cruzeiro Do Sul, (Southern Cross) (Crucero del Sur) 1969-70* - Cildo Meireles

Financial Times Millennium Bridge Competition - Richard Serra and Frank Gehry

Fax Transmission - Raymond Pettibone and Jason Rhoades

Double Exposure 1995-6  - Dan Graham

Electronic Theater - Laurie Anderson

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
#
Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W3858
19.05.2011
Cheryl K. Shurtleff
WWW
I propose to construct cat hair figures from fur collected from the cats housed at the Idaho Humane Shelter over a period of time. In order to realize this project I propose to visit the Humane Shelter twice per week over a period of one month. I will pet ...
I propose to construct cat hair figures from fur collected from the cats housed at the Idaho Humane Shelter over a period of time. In order to realize this project I propose to visit the Humane Shelter twice per week over a period of one month. I will pet ...
W4469
25.05.2011
Straight-Line Residency Project (SLRP):  - Margaret Roberts
WWW
Straight-Line Residency Project (SLRP): Executive summary A. The SLRP aims to • support interdimensional travel from virtual to physical space, • encourage the re-valuation of physical space by showing it as a desirable destination for interdimens ...
Straight-Line Residency Project (SLRP): Executive summary A. The SLRP aims to • support interdimensional travel from virtual to physical space, • encourage the re-valuation of physical space by showing it as a desirable destination for interdimens ...
U9774
01.01.1994
Arrangement Stroom HCBK Den Haag - Ange Leccia
Unbuilt Roads
l'ecran video Geant construit dans le prolongement de l'architecture de l'opera de la ville (Philipszaal) difuse en continue une image de la mer inversée. (Eventuellement raisons pour lesquelles le travail n'a pu etre realise) Cout élevé. (Trop!) ...
l'ecran video Geant construit dans le prolongement de l'architecture de l'opera de la ville (Philipszaal) difuse en continue une image de la mer inversée. (Eventuellement raisons pour lesquelles le travail n'a pu etre realise) Cout élevé. (Trop!) ...
W5257
12.10.2012
Unseen Connections - Andrei Sidorkin
WWW
This is a project concerning social and institutional critique both. It is the play with the problem of localization of the place where art should happen, but suddenly it appears in another place than it was expected. And also this project reveals conform ...
This is a project concerning social and institutional critique both. It is the play with the problem of localization of the place where art should happen, but suddenly it appears in another place than it was expected. And also this project reveals conform ...
W4799
10.11.2011
Test
WWW
This is a test. Please ignore. ...
This is a test. Please ignore. ...
U9747
01.01.1968
A House of Dust - Alison Knowles
Unbuilt Roads
The House of Dust was first a computer poem using fortran language. The quatrains are all different, each line randomly connected. The form shifting categories for the house are: the material of manufature, the locations the light source and the inhabitan ...
The House of Dust was first a computer poem using fortran language. The quatrains are all different, each line randomly connected. The form shifting categories for the house are: the material of manufature, the locations the light source and the inhabitan ...
W4092
23.05.2011
UNREALIZEABLE PROJECT A000003 - Stefano W. Pasquini
WWW
UNREALIZEABLE PROJECT A000003: The Queen of England becomes part of an installation / performance in a gallery. I am sending you a selection of projects, all of them can be found here: http://stefanopasquini.net/content/unremain.html ...
UNREALIZEABLE PROJECT A000003: The Queen of England becomes part of an installation / performance in a gallery. I am sending you a selection of projects, all of them can be found here: http://stefanopasquini.net/content/unremain.html ...
U9785
01.01.1994
Grand Concours International D'Architecture  - Mahe Gilles
Unbuilt Roads
Concours de plage ouvert surinvitation a des equipe D' Architectes de renomíe internationale. Objet = construire en untemps limiteé entre lamarée descendante + montante un batiment a l'aide des seuls materials trouvés sur la plage Nature Des ...
Concours de plage ouvert surinvitation a des equipe D' Architectes de renomíe internationale. Objet = construire en untemps limiteé entre lamarée descendante + montante un batiment a l'aide des seuls materials trouvés sur la plage Nature Des ...
W4879
09.08.2012
The Gutenbird - Lanie Gannon
WWW
The Gutenbird The Gutenbird is an unrealized suspended artwork intended for a public library. On one level it celebrates the handmade and well crafted and on another level implies the innovative and significant achievements of the first printing press ...
The Gutenbird The Gutenbird is an unrealized suspended artwork intended for a public library. On one level it celebrates the handmade and well crafted and on another level implies the innovative and significant achievements of the first printing press ...
U9622
01.01.1970
119. PROJET DE DESTRUCTION DU MUSEE 1970 - 1971 - Jef Geys
Unbuilt Roads
Plan pour devoir Musée o'anu[?]s avec autorisation et aide de ministères contactes (Eventuellement raisons pour lesquelles le travail n'a pu etre realise) Refus ministères de la defense etc. Publications: Kempens informatieblad Contact ...
Plan pour devoir Musée o'anu[?]s avec autorisation et aide de ministères contactes (Eventuellement raisons pour lesquelles le travail n'a pu etre realise) Refus ministères de la defense etc. Publications: Kempens informatieblad Contact ...
W5198
03.10.2012
Radiation Limit - Sarah Kanouse
WWW
Sarah Kanouse Radiation Limit (2007/2009) “Radiation Limit” commemorates the human radiation experiments sponsored by the Atomic Energy Commission from 1943 until at least 1974. The site-specific installation for the grounds around the Department ...
Sarah Kanouse Radiation Limit (2007/2009) “Radiation Limit” commemorates the human radiation experiments sponsored by the Atomic Energy Commission from 1943 until at least 1974. The site-specific installation for the grounds around the Department ...
W5420
20.10.2012
“These things I do, and shall do, if I can, are no longer, or are not yet, or never were, or never will be, or if they were, if they are, if they will be, were not here, are not here, will not be here, but elsewhere”. - Alessandro Laita
WWW
TITLE “These things I do, and shall do, if I can, are no longer, or are not yet, or never were, or never will be, or if they were, if they are, if they will be, were not here, are not here, will not be here, but elsewhere”. DESCRIPTION The who ...
TITLE “These things I do, and shall do, if I can, are no longer, or are not yet, or never were, or never will be, or if they were, if they are, if they will be, were not here, are not here, will not be here, but elsewhere”. DESCRIPTION The who ...
W4846
08.08.2012
Heterotopiaq = Shone-Makom - Chen Serfaty
WWW
Project Name: "Heterotopiaq = Shone-Makom" Heterotopia is a concept in human geography elaborated by philosopher Michel Foucault to describe places and spaces that function in non- hegemonic conditions. This project is about a space that has been int ...
Project Name: "Heterotopiaq = Shone-Makom" Heterotopia is a concept in human geography elaborated by philosopher Michel Foucault to describe places and spaces that function in non- hegemonic conditions. This project is about a space that has been int ...
W5087
10.09.2012
Theâtre (theatre) - Vincent Roumagnac / Aurélie Pétrel / le vrac
WWW
In April 2012 Roumagnac gets from the directors of L!Elysée (theatre – Lyon, France) to proceed the whitening of their whole theatre (stage + audience space). Through this whitening Roumagnac aims to «"reveal"» the illusion of the disappearence of th ...
In April 2012 Roumagnac gets from the directors of L!Elysée (theatre – Lyon, France) to proceed the whitening of their whole theatre (stage + audience space). Through this whitening Roumagnac aims to «"reveal"» the illusion of the disappearence of th ...
W3761
18.05.2011
Den Estetiske Dimensjon / The Aesthetic Dimension - Isabela Grosseova and Jesper Alvaer
WWW
The Aesthetic Dimension Public art proposal for the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation - Oslo ...
The Aesthetic Dimension Public art proposal for the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation - Oslo ...
W4042
22.05.2011
PROTEIFORM - Nathalie Chikhi
WWW
Proteiform is an uncompleted work started in May 2010. My first intention was to implant multiples yellow pins in big Styrofoam balls to create a 1:1 human scale installation. At the time, my budget to create this new work was somehow limited. I choose ...
Proteiform is an uncompleted work started in May 2010. My first intention was to implant multiples yellow pins in big Styrofoam balls to create a 1:1 human scale installation. At the time, my budget to create this new work was somehow limited. I choose ...
W10290
17.04.2014
NEON GRAFFITI / SHADOW CAMOUFLAGE - Douglas Park
WWW
NEON GRAFFITI / SHADOW CAMOUFLAGE + Explanation / Apology / Excuse / Attempt Destination discovers voyager. Travelator pavement delivers upright paralytic cadaver. Wrong-turning side-street and behind-the-scenes backroom gaping jaws beckon. Entire ...
NEON GRAFFITI / SHADOW CAMOUFLAGE + Explanation / Apology / Excuse / Attempt Destination discovers voyager. Travelator pavement delivers upright paralytic cadaver. Wrong-turning side-street and behind-the-scenes backroom gaping jaws beckon. Entire ...
W3565
12.05.2011
Liquid Door (smoking underwater), 2010 - Isola and Norzi
WWW
Jacques Cousteau’s lifelong dream of living beneath the sea set artists Hilario Isola and Matteo Norzi to thinking about artworks as relics of the future. [this text was first commissioned to Isola and Norzi and published by ABITARE, (issue 501, A ...
Jacques Cousteau’s lifelong dream of living beneath the sea set artists Hilario Isola and Matteo Norzi to thinking about artworks as relics of the future. [this text was first commissioned to Isola and Norzi and published by ABITARE, (issue 501, A ...
W3525
11.05.2011
Paper Wave - Tilly Shiner
WWW
Drawing for a human- scale wave, made from paper and biro pen. Using only the pressure of the pen to induce sculptural form from a flat surface. Referencing a common motif of the sublime, this work suggests something ordinary with extraordinar ...
Drawing for a human- scale wave, made from paper and biro pen. Using only the pressure of the pen to induce sculptural form from a flat surface. Referencing a common motif of the sublime, this work suggests something ordinary with extraordinar ...
W4595
25.05.2011
HOLY CORNERS - GABRIELLA DARIS
WWW
Gabriella Daris | HOLY CORNERS | 2010 The artist: The Lonoon based artist Gabriella Daris (Gabriella Tsavdaris) has built an art installation entitled, HOLY CORNERS, which Out Of The Box Intermedia has commissioned, and which is to be presented in the ...
Gabriella Daris | HOLY CORNERS | 2010 The artist: The Lonoon based artist Gabriella Daris (Gabriella Tsavdaris) has built an art installation entitled, HOLY CORNERS, which Out Of The Box Intermedia has commissioned, and which is to be presented in the ...
W3495
11.05.2011
Recipes for Disaster - Joy Garnett
WWW
Joy Garnett Recipes for Disaster Real recipes with humorous (dark), brief but informative essays. Cautionary tales, food chain fables. Dorothy Parker meets M.F.K. Fisher's How to Cook a Wolf in a Bruce Sterlingesque post-apocalyptic future. Heston B ...
Joy Garnett Recipes for Disaster Real recipes with humorous (dark), brief but informative essays. Cautionary tales, food chain fables. Dorothy Parker meets M.F.K. Fisher's How to Cook a Wolf in a Bruce Sterlingesque post-apocalyptic future. Heston B ...
U9660
01.01.1995
Double Exposure 1995-6  - Dan Graham
Unbuilt Roads
This pavilion is enterable through a sliding 2-way mirror door in one side, is sited in a landscape with some trees, a large visible vista. The 4m x 4m x 4m pavilion has two 2-way mirror sides. The third side is a cibachrome transparency which shows th ...
This pavilion is enterable through a sliding 2-way mirror door in one side, is sited in a landscape with some trees, a large visible vista. The 4m x 4m x 4m pavilion has two 2-way mirror sides. The third side is a cibachrome transparency which shows th ...
W5008
30.08.2012
And the Girls with their Roller Skates - Julia Brodauf
WWW
"And the Girls with their Roller Skates" was a proposal to do an installation in combination with an edition at the Heizkraftwerk Moabit in Berlin where Vatenfall sometimes shows art exhibitions. While the edition was accepted an will be realised in octob ...
"And the Girls with their Roller Skates" was a proposal to do an installation in combination with an edition at the Heizkraftwerk Moabit in Berlin where Vatenfall sometimes shows art exhibitions. While the edition was accepted an will be realised in octob ...
U9510
01.01.1997
Der New-Babyloner - Constant
Unbuilt Roads
Die Automation verspricht uns eine Produktion, die die Bedürfnisse aller Menschen ohne menschliche Arbeitsleistung zufriedenstellt. Die Arbeit des Menschen ist nicht länger ein unumgängliches Produktionsmittel. Der Mensch steht erste. malig vor der Tat ...
Die Automation verspricht uns eine Produktion, die die Bedürfnisse aller Menschen ohne menschliche Arbeitsleistung zufriedenstellt. Die Arbeit des Menschen ist nicht länger ein unumgängliches Produktionsmittel. Der Mensch steht erste. malig vor der Tat ...
W4050
22.05.2011
Dublin book project. - leo Morrissey
WWW
Books are the source material for my work; I propose to create a series of cut-books influenced on my stay in Dublin. Irelands great literary tradition and the importance of text, language, and history in my work makes Dublin an ideal place for me to crea ...
Books are the source material for my work; I propose to create a series of cut-books influenced on my stay in Dublin. Irelands great literary tradition and the importance of text, language, and history in my work makes Dublin an ideal place for me to crea ...
W5061
03.09.2012
The story of an aspirant - Eni Turkeshi
WWW
The story of an aspirant A waiting woman prolonged expectations delayed wishes nurtured hopes infidelity cracks broken hearts plastered again and again with love stripes unslaked fire never ending longing resurrecting Phoenix the story of a wo ...
The story of an aspirant A waiting woman prolonged expectations delayed wishes nurtured hopes infidelity cracks broken hearts plastered again and again with love stripes unslaked fire never ending longing resurrecting Phoenix the story of a wo ...