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.

Der New-Babyloner - Constant

Festival du film de famille - Pierre Huyghe

"Free Space" - Michelangelo Pistoletto

Visual Poem: Cap I Cua - Joan Brossa

Temple of the western buddha (1971 Kathmedu) - Herman de Vries

Untitled, modeled after the Leipzig Völkerschlachtdenkmal...  - Jenny Holzer

2 Architecture Towers - Robert Irwin

A House of Dust - Alison Knowles

PROPOSALl + VOORSTEL - Guillame Bijl

Aguapracasa - Gabriel Orozco

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W5125
18.09.2012
Unsearchables - Nathiel de Large // Patrick Mohundro
WWW
Sited Articles: Consciousness as Integrated Information: a Provisional Manifesto Biol. Bull. December 2008 vol. 215 no. 3 216-242 Unsearchables Nathaniel De Large // Patrick Mohundro The premise Unsearchables lies in the archetype of Google and ...
Sited Articles: Consciousness as Integrated Information: a Provisional Manifesto Biol. Bull. December 2008 vol. 215 no. 3 216-242 Unsearchables Nathaniel De Large // Patrick Mohundro The premise Unsearchables lies in the archetype of Google and ...
W3815
19.05.2011
Bury Me Like This - T. Kelly Mason
WWW
Bury Me Like This A project proposed in 2007 and distributed in the form of a public invitation sent from Adamski, Berlin. The work is to to be executed as soon as possible. The work proposes that, upon the occasion of my death, my clothed body sha ...
Bury Me Like This A project proposed in 2007 and distributed in the form of a public invitation sent from Adamski, Berlin. The work is to to be executed as soon as possible. The work proposes that, upon the occasion of my death, my clothed body sha ...
W4550
25.05.2011
Where Did My Husband Go...?
WWW
Where Did My Husband Go...? This two projection and six single channel video installation, based on a personally written poem entitled the same, presents images of contemporary times but reflects back to the Middle Passage, approximately 1440- 1640’s ...
Where Did My Husband Go...? This two projection and six single channel video installation, based on a personally written poem entitled the same, presents images of contemporary times but reflects back to the Middle Passage, approximately 1440- 1640’s ...
W4044
22.05.2011
Annie Wu & Ziga Testen
WWW
The project we have in mind begins with a little anecdote. Upon a chance meeting with Australian geometric abstraction painter John Nixon (1949) in the Netherlands, a thorough conversation revolving around a discontinued line of an Ikea table was brought ...
The project we have in mind begins with a little anecdote. Upon a chance meeting with Australian geometric abstraction painter John Nixon (1949) in the Netherlands, a thorough conversation revolving around a discontinued line of an Ikea table was brought ...
W4115
23.05.2011
Tropical Grotesque - Lara Stein Pardo
WWW
Deering Estate Foundation, Inc. Contact: Jennifer Tisthammer Artist: Lara Stein Pardo Project Summary Funding from the Harpo Foundation will be used to support an artist residency at the Deering Estate and the production of a new body of work by artist ...
Deering Estate Foundation, Inc. Contact: Jennifer Tisthammer Artist: Lara Stein Pardo Project Summary Funding from the Harpo Foundation will be used to support an artist residency at the Deering Estate and the production of a new body of work by artist ...
W3846
19.05.2011
We Prowl - Jodi Patterson
WWW
"We Prowl" series. Drew idealistic male forms on plastic as inspired by online personal profiles. Titles came from the tag lines used to lure a mate (submitting "Black Cat Hunting 4 Goddess" and "Wealth and Power"). Wealthy and Strong * 32- ...
"We Prowl" series. Drew idealistic male forms on plastic as inspired by online personal profiles. Titles came from the tag lines used to lure a mate (submitting "Black Cat Hunting 4 Goddess" and "Wealth and Power"). Wealthy and Strong * 32- ...
W4021
22.05.2011
MAKE YOUR MOVE - Marjan Verhaeghe
WWW
Marjan Verhaeghe For: Agency of Unrealized Projects (AUP) In my proposal for a residence in Dublin, 2008, I formulated an interactive idea for a cooperation with other artists. I was selected to come over, but in that period I couldn’t go (be ...
Marjan Verhaeghe For: Agency of Unrealized Projects (AUP) In my proposal for a residence in Dublin, 2008, I formulated an interactive idea for a cooperation with other artists. I was selected to come over, but in that period I couldn’t go (be ...
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 ...
W4812
07.08.2012
"2011 and my private destinations " and "Because of your coordination" - Nikolay Zanev
WWW
Pic1 2011 and my private destinations Map and software, D-print, 2012, size 70x90 cm Print shows map of Sofia city and my private duration and interest during one year period (2011), where I have been and where I used to go, do things in my pe ...
Pic1 2011 and my private destinations Map and software, D-print, 2012, size 70x90 cm Print shows map of Sofia city and my private duration and interest during one year period (2011), where I have been and where I used to go, do things in my pe ...
W4657
25.05.2011
BLUE LASER LIGHT PIECE - Karen Gunderson
WWW
BLUE LASER LIGHT PIECE The location could be any small town or an area of a big town which has buildings that house many different religions. Sites: The highest point on each of the religious buildings. Materials: Blue laser light mechanisms, power ...
BLUE LASER LIGHT PIECE The location could be any small town or an area of a big town which has buildings that house many different religions. Sites: The highest point on each of the religious buildings. Materials: Blue laser light mechanisms, power ...
W4613
25.05.2011
'Fish tank of snake eyes' - Valerie Driscoll
WWW
'Fish tank of snake eyes' A glass tank (measuring 60 cm x 60 cm and 40 cm tall). On the base of the tank will stand approximately 50-60 erect penises made from glass. Each glass penis will be life size and will be different in shape and size (preferably ...
'Fish tank of snake eyes' A glass tank (measuring 60 cm x 60 cm and 40 cm tall). On the base of the tank will stand approximately 50-60 erect penises made from glass. Each glass penis will be life size and will be different in shape and size (preferably ...
W4655
25.05.2011
Lev/Life - Craig Leonard
WWW
Agency of Unrealized Projects Submission Lev/Life Craig Leonard Conceived sometime in 2008, Lev/Life is an unsubmitted proposal to the Toronto Sculpture Garden located in the city's business district. The project was to be a replica of Soviet realis ...
Agency of Unrealized Projects Submission Lev/Life Craig Leonard Conceived sometime in 2008, Lev/Life is an unsubmitted proposal to the Toronto Sculpture Garden located in the city's business district. The project was to be a replica of Soviet realis ...
W4852
08.08.2012
Ada Muntean
WWW
These are 2 photos of 2 experimental works which consist in the process of the reconstruction of possible realities from former realities. Basicaly they are stripes (cut from photos and drawings) reordered and sticked in a different way from the initial.. ...
These are 2 photos of 2 experimental works which consist in the process of the reconstruction of possible realities from former realities. Basicaly they are stripes (cut from photos and drawings) reordered and sticked in a different way from the initial.. ...
W4048
22.05.2011
NESTED VOIDS: LA GROTTE DU MAS D’AZIL - Bradley Pitts
WWW
Unrealized Proposal for NESTED VOIDS: LA GROTTE DU MAS D’AZIL
 Bradley Pitts, 2010 The cave of Le Mas-d'Azil (la grotte du Mas d'Azil), FR, was one of the first prehistoric caves to yield evidence of human habitation. Its main feature is a 500-met ...
Unrealized Proposal for NESTED VOIDS: LA GROTTE DU MAS D’AZIL
 Bradley Pitts, 2010 The cave of Le Mas-d'Azil (la grotte du Mas d'Azil), FR, was one of the first prehistoric caves to yield evidence of human habitation. Its main feature is a 500-met ...
W4737
26.05.2011
Untitled Sign No. 4 - Kasper Sonne
WWW
Kasper Sonne ‘Untitled Sign No. 4’ Proposed work for the NEONS competition 2011. Fonds municipal d’art contemporain (Fmac) Concours NEONS (FCAC/Fmac) 34, rue des Bains 1205 Genève Switzerland While the sign clearly appropriates it’s ...
Kasper Sonne ‘Untitled Sign No. 4’ Proposed work for the NEONS competition 2011. Fonds municipal d’art contemporain (Fmac) Concours NEONS (FCAC/Fmac) 34, rue des Bains 1205 Genève Switzerland While the sign clearly appropriates it’s ...
W5465
21.10.2012
Letters from the Earth - Joe Cantrell
WWW
a cross-generational piece that repurposes electronic waste into technologically mediated messages to future generations. Plastic comprises a vast amount of the material used to make the electronic consumer products that have become so much a part of our ...
a cross-generational piece that repurposes electronic waste into technologically mediated messages to future generations. Plastic comprises a vast amount of the material used to make the electronic consumer products that have become so much a part of our ...
W4904
13.08.2012
Cornelia Lauf
WWW
Many years ago, I submitted a curatorial project to an open call from Vienna's Generali Foundation. My idea was to realize one dinner in the exhibition space with all the "right" people, as gallerists and museum curators of note know how to do with such p ...
Many years ago, I submitted a curatorial project to an open call from Vienna's Generali Foundation. My idea was to realize one dinner in the exhibition space with all the "right" people, as gallerists and museum curators of note know how to do with such p ...
W5153
24.09.2012
Internal Painting Valuable gift - James Eisen
WWW
Among my recent Project Internal Painting Valuable gift, I examined forms of knowledge and Power, the transference of idea to object from one work to another. These works sit within a wider strategy of enacting associative thought into form. More directly ...
Among my recent Project Internal Painting Valuable gift, I examined forms of knowledge and Power, the transference of idea to object from one work to another. These works sit within a wider strategy of enacting associative thought into form. More directly ...
W5363
19.10.2012
A Constructivist Artifact for Mourning the Weekdays - Inbal Strauss
WWW
These sketches for a sculpture titled A Constructivist Artifact for Mourning the Weekdays, remain as a two dimensional proposal for the time being. As a sculptor, I use investigative sketching as a creative development tool for a sculpture that will event ...
These sketches for a sculpture titled A Constructivist Artifact for Mourning the Weekdays, remain as a two dimensional proposal for the time being. As a sculptor, I use investigative sketching as a creative development tool for a sculpture that will event ...
W3536
11.05.2011
Present through the Rearview Mirror - Ali Miharbi
WWW
Present through the Rearview Mirror Ali Miharbi (Nov. 2, 2010) Summary: “Present through the Rearview Mirror” will be a live animation depicting a crowd flowing through a specific public space, based on previously gathered data such as crowd move ...
Present through the Rearview Mirror Ali Miharbi (Nov. 2, 2010) Summary: “Present through the Rearview Mirror” will be a live animation depicting a crowd flowing through a specific public space, based on previously gathered data such as crowd move ...
W4077
23.05.2011
The Museum of Patheticness - Sadie Hennessy
WWW
A short proposal for Matt's Gallery entitled 'The Museum of Patheticness' THE MUSEUM OF PATHETICNESS It has been a long held ambition of mine to establish a Museum of Patheticness. My interest in the idea of patheticness was kindled by my sightings ...
A short proposal for Matt's Gallery entitled 'The Museum of Patheticness' THE MUSEUM OF PATHETICNESS It has been a long held ambition of mine to establish a Museum of Patheticness. My interest in the idea of patheticness was kindled by my sightings ...
W3566
12.05.2011
Lisa Gorton
WWW
Two images taken in a pristine gallery space. Meant to act as a catalyst for an investigation into space, place and the role of the body within this. Tried to do a performance but became much more about being ‘alive’ rather than ‘live’. ...
Two images taken in a pristine gallery space. Meant to act as a catalyst for an investigation into space, place and the role of the body within this. Tried to do a performance but became much more about being ‘alive’ rather than ‘live’. ...
W4895
10.08.2012
CayucoTours - Ralph Kistler
WWW
Project Name: CayucoTours Artist: Ralph Kistler Email: check-in@subtours.com Webpage: http://www.subtours.com CayucoTours was a selected project for the 3.Biennale of the Canary Islands that ...
Project Name: CayucoTours Artist: Ralph Kistler Email: check-in@subtours.com Webpage: http://www.subtours.com CayucoTours was a selected project for the 3.Biennale of the Canary Islands that ...
W10766
26.11.2014
Monument to civilization - Pablo Angel Lugo
WWW
A patinated plaster sculpture marble natural scale, contains two characters, the first is a riot police in position conqueror in one hand have a coat of riot police and the other as if it were a weapon, a piece of post and finally this a video surveillanc ...
A patinated plaster sculpture marble natural scale, contains two characters, the first is a riot police in position conqueror in one hand have a coat of riot police and the other as if it were a weapon, a piece of post and finally this a video surveillanc ...
W3980
21.05.2011
Untitled - Sky Fairchild-Waller
WWW
'Untitled' is a photo and text-based work that explores the poetics of a young mother raising a young girl. Meredith admired the speckles of flour that had landed on her apron. The print was floral; violet and pink flower buds, small and slightly fade ...
'Untitled' is a photo and text-based work that explores the poetics of a young mother raising a young girl. Meredith admired the speckles of flour that had landed on her apron. The print was floral; violet and pink flower buds, small and slightly fade ...
W3644
15.05.2011
Lucie Chan
WWW
I sometimes go to a library and spend an hour there finding certain books to leave cut out scraps of my old drawings, parts that I really like, s gifts. These drawings are small with short texts on them that are taken from books I own. ...
I sometimes go to a library and spend an hour there finding certain books to leave cut out scraps of my old drawings, parts that I really like, s gifts. These drawings are small with short texts on them that are taken from books I own. ...