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.

Social Resource Project For the Munich Olympics - Stephen Willats

Eislandschaft - P. Fischli und D. Weiss

Project pour le parc de sculpture de Vassiviére - Paul-Armand Gette

City Hall Tower Night Ilumination - Krysztof Wodiczko

Notebook Page: Home in the Form of a Banana with Garage,  - Claes Oldenburg

MODELL OF AN OFFICE FOR A COUPLE OF TWINS, BOTH 1,38 TALL" - Tobias Rehrenberg

654 THINGS from The United States - Edward Ruscha

Museum - Katharina Fritsch

Festival du film de famille - Pierre Huyghe

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

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4374
25.05.2011
Proposal for culture (an interactive installation)  - Thessia Machado
WWW
Proposal for culture (an interactive installation) I’ve been thinking about the different ways in which organisms can perceive their environment and adapt to it — capturing and responding to either images, air vibration, or smells, sounds, flavors, ...
Proposal for culture (an interactive installation) I’ve been thinking about the different ways in which organisms can perceive their environment and adapt to it — capturing and responding to either images, air vibration, or smells, sounds, flavors, ...
U9517
01.01.1990
<A Public Misery Message> - Critical Art Ensemble
Unbuilt Roads
A Public Misery Message, was designed as temporary public art for a US city. The Reagan/Bush era was coming to a close, and the financial restructuring of the classes was complete: The top wealth holders in America controlled more wealth than at any previ ...
A Public Misery Message, was designed as temporary public art for a US city. The Reagan/Bush era was coming to a close, and the financial restructuring of the classes was complete: The top wealth holders in America controlled more wealth than at any previ ...
W5412
20.10.2012
THE ISLAND PROJECT - Pietro Mele
WWW
PIETRO MELE The Island Project Multimedia project I am going to start a campaign of fund raising so as to purchase the private Island of Budelli* for giving it to the Sardinian Government. Despite the island is part of the highly protected La Madda ...
PIETRO MELE The Island Project Multimedia project I am going to start a campaign of fund raising so as to purchase the private Island of Budelli* for giving it to the Sardinian Government. Despite the island is part of the highly protected La Madda ...
W4277
24.05.2011
sarah brothers
WWW
This is a painting I started about a year and a half ago, and never finished - on purpose.I decided I liked the un-finished look for this piece. I had initially done the skull to represent the 'death of spirit' feeling I had due to picking up smoking agai ...
This is a painting I started about a year and a half ago, and never finished - on purpose.I decided I liked the un-finished look for this piece. I had initially done the skull to represent the 'death of spirit' feeling I had due to picking up smoking agai ...
W5346
18.10.2012
Lisa Bateman
WWW
An installation of public smell (ocean, brine, tar, old fish) -housed inside an abandoned parking shack at the site of the old Fulton Fish Market, NYC. Smell is emitted from a DMX HVAC scent through the fence and into public space. ...
An installation of public smell (ocean, brine, tar, old fish) -housed inside an abandoned parking shack at the site of the old Fulton Fish Market, NYC. Smell is emitted from a DMX HVAC scent through the fence and into public space. ...
W3606
13.05.2011
Recent Work Not Done - Buzz Spector
WWW
Date: 13 May 2011 To: The Agency of Unrealized Projects From: Buzz Spector RE: Recent Work Not Done My unrealized project is an artists’ book compilation of every artmaking idea or curatorial proposition I have had since 1972, but which ...
Date: 13 May 2011 To: The Agency of Unrealized Projects From: Buzz Spector RE: Recent Work Not Done My unrealized project is an artists’ book compilation of every artmaking idea or curatorial proposition I have had since 1972, but which ...
W5078
06.09.2012
Underground tourist centre  - HR-Stamenov
WWW
“ Underground tourist centre to be used in the event of a hypothetic nuclear winter” author HR-Stamenov In the period following a hypotheticl thermo-nuclear war, the earth’s surface would experience “nuclear winter”.... See PDF ...
“ Underground tourist centre to be used in the event of a hypothetic nuclear winter” author HR-Stamenov In the period following a hypotheticl thermo-nuclear war, the earth’s surface would experience “nuclear winter”.... See PDF ...
W3592
13.05.2011
ROTTEN SHARKS - paololuca barbieri
WWW
This Film is never been made but it has a phantom on the web at: www.rottensharks.com by Alterazioni Video EXT- NORDIC SEA – SUNDOWN A former fisherman’s boat, now just a dingy filled with a crew of desperados, is roaming along the cold ...
This Film is never been made but it has a phantom on the web at: www.rottensharks.com by Alterazioni Video EXT- NORDIC SEA – SUNDOWN A former fisherman’s boat, now just a dingy filled with a crew of desperados, is roaming along the cold ...
U9864
01.01.1992
Post Photographic apparatus - Steven Pippin
Unbuilt Roads
Description: The impetus came from , or was initially inspired by the endless stream of monotonous images created by the exponential growth in the amount of photographic apparatus. In an effort to counteract this mediocre use of such a powerfull medium ...
Description: The impetus came from , or was initially inspired by the endless stream of monotonous images created by the exponential growth in the amount of photographic apparatus. In an effort to counteract this mediocre use of such a powerfull medium ...
W3673
15.05.2011
SOUNDFAIR  - Clara Meister
WWW
THE UTOPIA OF A SOUNDSHOW ʻTELL ME ALL, SHOW ME NOTHINGʼ INTRODUCTION UNREALIZED PROJECT INTRODUCTION OF THE FOUNDERS 4. REALIZED PORJECTS CONTACT: Clara Meister clara@soundfair.net www.soundfair.net INTRODUCTION SOUNDFAIR - EXHI ...
THE UTOPIA OF A SOUNDSHOW ʻTELL ME ALL, SHOW ME NOTHINGʼ INTRODUCTION UNREALIZED PROJECT INTRODUCTION OF THE FOUNDERS 4. REALIZED PORJECTS CONTACT: Clara Meister clara@soundfair.net www.soundfair.net INTRODUCTION SOUNDFAIR - EXHI ...
W5112
16.09.2012
The Cactus Room - Javier Tapia
WWW
THE CAUCUS ROOM Project proposal for OVERGADEN By Javier Tapia The authentic moment of discovery, the breakthrough, occurs when a properly universal dimension explodes from within a particular context and becomes “for itself”, and is directly ex ...
THE CAUCUS ROOM Project proposal for OVERGADEN By Javier Tapia The authentic moment of discovery, the breakthrough, occurs when a properly universal dimension explodes from within a particular context and becomes “for itself”, and is directly ex ...
W5164
25.09.2012
E-Motion Pictures - Ron Weijers
WWW
The ‘E-Motion Pictures’ project by the Dutch multi-disciplinary artist Ron Weijers, one could review as a series of mixed media video works that are only present in a specific set space and time – as opposed to his regular mixed-media paintings whic ...
The ‘E-Motion Pictures’ project by the Dutch multi-disciplinary artist Ron Weijers, one could review as a series of mixed media video works that are only present in a specific set space and time – as opposed to his regular mixed-media paintings whic ...
W3638
14.05.2011
lynn hershman Leeson
WWW
This piece reveals the biological system/internal workings of ballet dancers, particularly pregnant ones, who dance to the rhythm and sounds of their own blood stream and heartbeat. ...
This piece reveals the biological system/internal workings of ballet dancers, particularly pregnant ones, who dance to the rhythm and sounds of their own blood stream and heartbeat. ...
W3532
11.05.2011
The Sounds of the Sun Pavilion - Michael Jantzen
WWW
​The Sounds of the Sun Pavilion is a conceptual proposal for a large structure made of many small, pre-fabricated, square, curved, steel tube components. These components are joined together to form thirteen large interwoven curved elements. One side o ...
​The Sounds of the Sun Pavilion is a conceptual proposal for a large structure made of many small, pre-fabricated, square, curved, steel tube components. These components are joined together to form thirteen large interwoven curved elements. One side o ...
W4997
30.08.2012
Outback Pietà - Maarten Daudeij
WWW
Title: Outback Pietà Artist: Maarten Daudeij (The Netherlands, Australia) Year of origination of the idea: 2011 Concept: Taking the Pietà by Michelangelo out of the Saint Peter and placing it in the Australian Outback Theme: i.e. the duality between ...
Title: Outback Pietà Artist: Maarten Daudeij (The Netherlands, Australia) Year of origination of the idea: 2011 Concept: Taking the Pietà by Michelangelo out of the Saint Peter and placing it in the Australian Outback Theme: i.e. the duality between ...
W4259
24.05.2011
Why leave the shelter? - Arcady Kotler
WWW
Why leave the shelter? (The Tale of the construction of my shell) I don’t even remember when construction of the shelter started, but it happened somehow unnoticeably. When I was young it was nothing like a fortress, but just big opened space with e ...
Why leave the shelter? (The Tale of the construction of my shell) I don’t even remember when construction of the shelter started, but it happened somehow unnoticeably. When I was young it was nothing like a fortress, but just big opened space with e ...
W4837
08.08.2012
Museum Eddy Roos - Eddy Roos
WWW
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 ...
U9898
01.01.1997
PROJEKT - Ulrich Rückreim
Unbuilt Roads
13 Kuben Granit Rosa Porrino, jeweils horizontal und vertikal gespalten jeweils ca. 300 x 200 x 200 cm davon jeweils ca. 90 cm in die Erde eingelassen 120 Bäume jeweils in lOer Gruppen gepflanzt Gesamtareal: 100 x 100 m Dreize ...
13 Kuben Granit Rosa Porrino, jeweils horizontal und vertikal gespalten jeweils ca. 300 x 200 x 200 cm davon jeweils ca. 90 cm in die Erde eingelassen 120 Bäume jeweils in lOer Gruppen gepflanzt Gesamtareal: 100 x 100 m Dreize ...
W4369
25.05.2011
Importance of some Note - Qi.ng
WWW
Importance of some Note 12x8" Digital capture of graphite on 3x3" scrap paper I once had a mentor who would grouse on about the term 'art projects', as though these were something that had a distinct end and finish. The debate would always return to ...
Importance of some Note 12x8" Digital capture of graphite on 3x3" scrap paper I once had a mentor who would grouse on about the term 'art projects', as though these were something that had a distinct end and finish. The debate would always return to ...
W3814
19.05.2011
Caitlin Masley
WWW
“…by remembering that cities are more than just habitats or geographical entities. They extend beyond networks of communication, commerce, sociality, or politics. Cities often exist in the form of memories and aspirations, and these cities are no less ...
“…by remembering that cities are more than just habitats or geographical entities. They extend beyond networks of communication, commerce, sociality, or politics. Cities often exist in the form of memories and aspirations, and these cities are no less ...
W5403
20.10.2012
L’ARTISTA HA L’ORO IN BOCCA - Isabella Pers
WWW
Isabella Pers L’ARTISTA HA L’ORO IN BOCCA unrealized project For the title I’m referring to the famous phrase 'All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy' that appeares in the film The Shining (Kubrick, 1980). The book that Jack was writing co ...
Isabella Pers L’ARTISTA HA L’ORO IN BOCCA unrealized project For the title I’m referring to the famous phrase 'All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy' that appeares in the film The Shining (Kubrick, 1980). The book that Jack was writing co ...
W4641
25.05.2011
Unrealized Project: - Diana Clarke
WWW
Unrealized Project: One of my unrealized projects is an exhibition about exhibition making. The exhibition as a medium in itself is becoming popularly appreciated, and is only beginning to become understood. We are in a time when such an exhibition wou ...
Unrealized Project: One of my unrealized projects is an exhibition about exhibition making. The exhibition as a medium in itself is becoming popularly appreciated, and is only beginning to become understood. We are in a time when such an exhibition wou ...
W4107
23.05.2011
Warning (Potters Bar) - Victoria Halford and Steve Beard
WWW
An unrealisable proposal for a public sculpture Intention Warning ( Potters Bar) is a proposal to reconstruct an emblematic moment from a train derailment which occurred in England in 2002. The life-size sculpture would consist of a wrecked train carr ...
An unrealisable proposal for a public sculpture Intention Warning ( Potters Bar) is a proposal to reconstruct an emblematic moment from a train derailment which occurred in England in 2002. The life-size sculpture would consist of a wrecked train carr ...
W4175
24.05.2011
BIYING ZHANG
WWW
As a young Chinese artist living in the United States, Zhang feels a strong sense of being a foreign person in this country especially after her marriage to a US citizen. In her artwork, Zhang explores the difference and displacement that she feels. ...
As a young Chinese artist living in the United States, Zhang feels a strong sense of being a foreign person in this country especially after her marriage to a US citizen. In her artwork, Zhang explores the difference and displacement that she feels. ...
W4269
24.05.2011
Untitled,  - Ye Qin Zhu
WWW
Untitled, In my wallet, main flap front pocket and in the back of my NYS Driver's license, there is a card with a note on it: (Front side) In my time of death, give this card to an English speaking close relative or friend. (Back side) To the receiv ...
Untitled, In my wallet, main flap front pocket and in the back of my NYS Driver's license, there is a card with a note on it: (Front side) In my time of death, give this card to an English speaking close relative or friend. (Back side) To the receiv ...