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.

NON REALIZED PROJECTS - Christo and Jeanne-Claude

Passage - Richard Wentworth

Tower Cranes, Paris  - Tadashi Kawamata

Why New Worlds Conceived by Artists Do Not Get Built - Peter Fend

Visual Poem: Cap I Cua - Joan Brossa

CIVITAS Stadtpostkarten - Lothar Baumgarten

Dog Jaw Monument - A Futurist Tele-introject - Leon Golub

WATERWORKS - Mona Hatoum

MAK - Wien  - Rosemarie Trockel

Invitation Space No.1 - Tania Mouraud

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
#
Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
U9828
01.01.1970
Invitation Space No.1 - Tania Mouraud
Unbuilt Roads
1 carré en béton dimension 150 cm epaisseur 15 cm, accroché au flauc d 'une monVague Publications: Galerie "Ben donte de tout" 1971 (Invitation à l'exposition Mouraud) feuille volaute Galerie LP 220, Turin, Milan "Paysage sonore urbain" Be ...
1 carré en béton dimension 150 cm epaisseur 15 cm, accroché au flauc d 'une monVague Publications: Galerie "Ben donte de tout" 1971 (Invitation à l'exposition Mouraud) feuille volaute Galerie LP 220, Turin, Milan "Paysage sonore urbain" Be ...
W5184
30.09.2012
Relative Music - Augustin Maurs
WWW
RELATIVE MUSIC An unrealized economy, by Augustin Maurs À propos unrealized projects, it could be amusing to consider that, in the perspective of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, almost the totality of the music written in the western cultures f ...
RELATIVE MUSIC An unrealized economy, by Augustin Maurs À propos unrealized projects, it could be amusing to consider that, in the perspective of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, almost the totality of the music written in the western cultures f ...
W5182
29.09.2012
Stuttgarts Crocodile - Adi Sumic
WWW
New extraordinary pattern design for brand new Porsche Cayman car. See PDF ...
New extraordinary pattern design for brand new Porsche Cayman car. See PDF ...
W3728
17.05.2011
Mount of Olives - Felippe Moraes
WWW
The project "Mount of Olives" is constituted by seven scaffolds with different heights, each one with an olive tree in a wooden box with earth inside in the top. The trees must be kept alive by an automatic irrigation system. ...
The project "Mount of Olives" is constituted by seven scaffolds with different heights, each one with an olive tree in a wooden box with earth inside in the top. The trees must be kept alive by an automatic irrigation system. ...
W5340
18.10.2012
Didaskalia - Helly Mizrai
WWW
"Didaskalia" is a site-specific installation. Didaskalia divided into two acts, The two acts are almost similar, in Didaskalia the work creates repetitions by multiplying the three first spaces twice. About the work In the suggested work I contin ...
"Didaskalia" is a site-specific installation. Didaskalia divided into two acts, The two acts are almost similar, in Didaskalia the work creates repetitions by multiplying the three first spaces twice. About the work In the suggested work I contin ...
W4906
13.08.2012
US Dollar Incense - Christian Burnoski
WWW
Unrealized project for AUP archive submission: US Dollar Incense, 2010 Christian Burnoski Description The concept is to make incense-sticks from US dollars, which would cost as much as the number of bills used in making the incense, so that th ...
Unrealized project for AUP archive submission: US Dollar Incense, 2010 Christian Burnoski Description The concept is to make incense-sticks from US dollars, which would cost as much as the number of bills used in making the incense, so that th ...
W5156
24.09.2012
Packet Switching - Joelle Dietrick + Owen Mundy
WWW
Packet Switching is an ongoing body of work by Joelle Dietrick and Owen Mundy that visualizes architecture as fragments affected by economic and communications systems. A series of related prints and animations are available for the exhibition. ...
Packet Switching is an ongoing body of work by Joelle Dietrick and Owen Mundy that visualizes architecture as fragments affected by economic and communications systems. A series of related prints and animations are available for the exhibition. ...
W4586
25.05.2011
UEBERSCHRIEBEN (Transferred/ Overwritten) - Rudolf Herz / Reinhard Matz
WWW
UEBERSCHRIEBEN (Transferred/ Overwritten) Memorial for the murdered European Jews Outline 1997 Preliminary remarks Our proposal UEBERSCHRIEBEN draws its impetus from the failure of the traditional art of memorials and the manifold problems deriving f ...
UEBERSCHRIEBEN (Transferred/ Overwritten) Memorial for the murdered European Jews Outline 1997 Preliminary remarks Our proposal UEBERSCHRIEBEN draws its impetus from the failure of the traditional art of memorials and the manifold problems deriving f ...
W4194
24.05.2011
Fleury Jean Damien
WWW
Rotation terrestre avec différentiel / projet d'harmonisation par réglage des écoulements temporels ...
Rotation terrestre avec différentiel / projet d'harmonisation par réglage des écoulements temporels ...
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 ...
W4661
25.05.2011
"Panic Eternal" - David Hanes
WWW
"Panic Eternal", Single Channel Video Projection Loop, 16:00, 2011 Panic Eternal is a projection artwork that plays with both the emotional and visual stimuli of a viewer in its emphasizing of slapstick found in cinematic parody. Using found footage (f ...
"Panic Eternal", Single Channel Video Projection Loop, 16:00, 2011 Panic Eternal is a projection artwork that plays with both the emotional and visual stimuli of a viewer in its emphasizing of slapstick found in cinematic parody. Using found footage (f ...
W3557
12.05.2011
Liberties - Esin Turan
WWW
Abstract Liberties is an experiment in giving and receiving and working together peacefully to create something of universal value and at the same time benefit individually. It is an interactive lear- ning experience, in which each participant learns tha ...
Abstract Liberties is an experiment in giving and receiving and working together peacefully to create something of universal value and at the same time benefit individually. It is an interactive lear- ning experience, in which each participant learns tha ...
W4308
24.05.2011
Adam Battestilli
WWW
POEM You view the world Through rose-tinted handsoap In a clear plastic bottle Pressed up against your eye. People ask you why. You sigh, and you reply, Why, it makes everything pink! And helps me rid My fingers of the stink Of ...
POEM You view the world Through rose-tinted handsoap In a clear plastic bottle Pressed up against your eye. People ask you why. You sigh, and you reply, Why, it makes everything pink! And helps me rid My fingers of the stink Of ...
W5175
26.09.2012
Action Office III - Geissler Sann
WWW
Action Office III The first cubicles were designed in 1967 by Robert Propst. The purpose was to give the workers more privacy, to isolate them from sights and noises of an open workspace. Probst consulted for his research mathematicians, behavioral psych ...
Action Office III The first cubicles were designed in 1967 by Robert Propst. The purpose was to give the workers more privacy, to isolate them from sights and noises of an open workspace. Probst consulted for his research mathematicians, behavioral psych ...
W3911
20.05.2011
A proposal for PITT. (Did not happen) - Nicole Mortiboys
WWW
A proposal for PITT. (Did not happen) pittstudio@com. The proposal to Nathan Pitt of PITT, was to make up an inflatable copy of cartoon hand, (see image attached).To the same size as the gallery space. The hand would be placed in the gallery before b ...
A proposal for PITT. (Did not happen) pittstudio@com. The proposal to Nathan Pitt of PITT, was to make up an inflatable copy of cartoon hand, (see image attached).To the same size as the gallery space. The hand would be placed in the gallery before b ...
W4449
25.05.2011
20 Years After  - Xavier Rayuela
WWW
20 Years After As a par-time AIDS activist and militant, I decided to create an event to celebrate "A Day Without Art" by proposing an intervention / intrusion and re-staging residuals of my previous events related to AIDS. As an artist I was always fa ...
20 Years After As a par-time AIDS activist and militant, I decided to create an event to celebrate "A Day Without Art" by proposing an intervention / intrusion and re-staging residuals of my previous events related to AIDS. As an artist I was always fa ...
W4380
25.05.2011
The Mirror Cloud - Kristin Jones / Andrew Ginzel
WWW
The Mirror Cloud will be a dynamic visual magnet suspended above the intersection of 5th Avenue and 57th Street, New York City. Consider a floating, suspended structure endowed with convex mirrors. Infinitively observant, the mirrors embrace the viewer ...
The Mirror Cloud will be a dynamic visual magnet suspended above the intersection of 5th Avenue and 57th Street, New York City. Consider a floating, suspended structure endowed with convex mirrors. Infinitively observant, the mirrors embrace the viewer ...
U9712
14.11.1992
Memorial - Ilya Kabakov
Unbuilt Roads
Kabakov "MEMORIAL" Short description of the project The Concept of the Project "Memorial" The Russian revolution which established the "era of Socialism" is considered to be a most important event of the twentieth century. The end of ...
Kabakov "MEMORIAL" Short description of the project The Concept of the Project "Memorial" The Russian revolution which established the "era of Socialism" is considered to be a most important event of the twentieth century. The end of ...
W4858
08.08.2012
Interacting Products - Dan Riley
WWW
Interacting Products Interacting Products is an art installation consisting of two products that interact with eachother and an optional third party interacting with one of the products. The first product is a 909 drum machine which features a clap sou ...
Interacting Products Interacting Products is an art installation consisting of two products that interact with eachother and an optional third party interacting with one of the products. The first product is a 909 drum machine which features a clap sou ...
W4148
23.05.2011
The Ambassadors - Cornford & Cross
WWW
The Ambassadors 2001 We were invited to submit proposals for the 2002 Liverpool Biennial. Our proposal, titled The Ambassadors, would have consisted of a set of flags of those nations with which HM Government did not maintain diplomatic relations. The ...
The Ambassadors 2001 We were invited to submit proposals for the 2002 Liverpool Biennial. Our proposal, titled The Ambassadors, would have consisted of a set of flags of those nations with which HM Government did not maintain diplomatic relations. The ...
W3635
14.05.2011
Hay, Text - Jomar Statkun
WWW
“With plastic covered hay bales”, the hay bales have text silk screened on them. There would be many bales - with various texts printed on them. In the past, some texts have touched on ideas of defection and the workings of “offices”, as well a ...
“With plastic covered hay bales”, the hay bales have text silk screened on them. There would be many bales - with various texts printed on them. In the past, some texts have touched on ideas of defection and the workings of “offices”, as well a ...
W4468
25.05.2011
Bürger Schöpfung Ewigkeit  - Gabriele Juvan
WWW
Bürger Schöpfung Ewigkeit (i.e. Citizen Creation Eternity) is a site specific, temporary project conceived for ,Luisenburg‘ rock labyrinth (Felsenlabyrinth) next to the city of Wunsiedel on the German/Czech border: *Six eye-catching rocks on a loop tr ...
Bürger Schöpfung Ewigkeit (i.e. Citizen Creation Eternity) is a site specific, temporary project conceived for ,Luisenburg‘ rock labyrinth (Felsenlabyrinth) next to the city of Wunsiedel on the German/Czech border: *Six eye-catching rocks on a loop tr ...
W3803
18.05.2011
An experience being an experience like an experience you just had - 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. ...
W3660
15.05.2011
Hannah Ross
WWW
Inspired by Janet Cardiff, creating a room for observation that requires community participation. It will be a life sized entry hallway, with a side table, telephone, and answering machine. I will have a public campaign of distributing the phone number wi ...
Inspired by Janet Cardiff, creating a room for observation that requires community participation. It will be a life sized entry hallway, with a side table, telephone, and answering machine. I will have a public campaign of distributing the phone number wi ...
W4139
23.05.2011
Lizzy Cross
WWW
These floor plans attempt to illustrate my perception of a changing family dynamic. I have yet to find the right way to bring this idea to fruition. I believe it exists most perfectly as image files in my laptop's "sketchbook" file, documenting a state of ...
These floor plans attempt to illustrate my perception of a changing family dynamic. I have yet to find the right way to bring this idea to fruition. I believe it exists most perfectly as image files in my laptop's "sketchbook" file, documenting a state of ...
U9892
16.02.1997
Fax Transmission - Raymond Pettibone and Jason Rhoades
Unbuilt Roads
Fax to: HANS-ULRICH OBRIST From Jason Rhoades Greeting HAN-ULRICH Well the project sounded great but I didn't have any unfulfilled projects that I sad appropriate for the project, but just last sunday I was at the race track with raymon pettibone ...
Fax to: HANS-ULRICH OBRIST From Jason Rhoades Greeting HAN-ULRICH Well the project sounded great but I didn't have any unfulfilled projects that I sad appropriate for the project, but just last sunday I was at the race track with raymon pettibone ...