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.

Eislandschaft - P. Fischli und D. Weiss

Arrangement Stroom HCBK Den Haag - Ange Leccia

Aus: Katalog 'Kunst bleibt Kunst' - Hans Peter Feldman

Time Magazine Cover - Robert Rauschenberg

Projets non réalisés: - Daniel Buren

Social Resource Project For the Munich Olympics - Stephen Willats

The World Record - General Idea

Projet pour la Place Saint Léger à Chambery  - Erik Dietman

119. PROJET DE DESTRUCTION DU MUSEE 1970 - 1971 - Jef Geys

Double Exposure 1995-6  - Dan Graham

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W3727
17.05.2011
Achtung” (Watch out!)  - Doris Koch
WWW
Since 1991, Doris Koch has been producing participatory projects in public spaces. In 2006, the project “Achtung” (Watch out!) was developed for the Stadtpark (city park) in Dessau in dialogue with the residents, and cancelled in Spring 2007. In the c ...
Since 1991, Doris Koch has been producing participatory projects in public spaces. In 2006, the project “Achtung” (Watch out!) was developed for the Stadtpark (city park) in Dessau in dialogue with the residents, and cancelled in Spring 2007. In the c ...
W4497
25.05.2011
“Oil spill La Fenice” - KilMor Prod.
WWW
“Oil spill La Fenice” by KilMor Prod. La Fenice Teatro La Fenice is the biggest opera house in Venice, Italy and one of the most famous theatres in Europe. “La Fenice” means “The Phoenix”. A phoenix is a mythical bird that is a fire spir ...
“Oil spill La Fenice” by KilMor Prod. La Fenice Teatro La Fenice is the biggest opera house in Venice, Italy and one of the most famous theatres in Europe. “La Fenice” means “The Phoenix”. A phoenix is a mythical bird that is a fire spir ...
W5376
19.10.2012
FIRE! - Mary Behm-Steinberg
WWW
Statement for the bronze plaque (or documentation in the museum)*** Everywhere we look, the common person and the environment are under attack. Global warming; crop failures; poverty and starvation; the disappearance of the middle class and as America ...
Statement for the bronze plaque (or documentation in the museum)*** Everywhere we look, the common person and the environment are under attack. Global warming; crop failures; poverty and starvation; the disappearance of the middle class and as America ...
W4502
25.05.2011
Olga Yvons
WWW
My Modern Life The multimedia project explores the real existences of young people in Latvia and their search for individuality. ...
My Modern Life The multimedia project explores the real existences of young people in Latvia and their search for individuality. ...
W4352
25.05.2011
Palitos/Sticks  - Yanina Moroni
WWW
Palitos/Sticks Descripción / Description La obra es una instalación, disposición de diversos objetos en el espacio y el tiempo. Es una Estructura modular reubicable y/o adaptable, conformada por Módulos, pequeñas obras, partes de la obra genera ...
Palitos/Sticks Descripción / Description La obra es una instalación, disposición de diversos objetos en el espacio y el tiempo. Es una Estructura modular reubicable y/o adaptable, conformada por Módulos, pequeñas obras, partes de la obra genera ...
W4642
25.05.2011
WHEN YOU CUT INTO THE PRESENT THE FUTURE LEAKS OUT (PRODUCTION OF SPACE) - ELENA BAJO
WWW
WHEN YOU CUT INTO THE PRESENT THE FUTURE LEAKS OUT (PRODUCTION OF SPACE) “The form of social space is encounter, assembly, simultaneity; social space implies actual or potential assembly at a single point or around that point.” - Henri Lefebvre, from ...
WHEN YOU CUT INTO THE PRESENT THE FUTURE LEAKS OUT (PRODUCTION OF SPACE) “The form of social space is encounter, assembly, simultaneity; social space implies actual or potential assembly at a single point or around that point.” - Henri Lefebvre, from ...
U9572
01.01.1992
Engel-Detektor - Jakob Gautel & Jason Karaïndros
Unbuilt Roads
"Looking into the heart of light, the silence . . . " - T. S. Eliot «Un agne passe» - „Ein Engel schwebt durch den Raum" - ein Moment due Ruhe, der selten geworden ist in unserer Gesellschaft, die vom visuellen und sonoren horror vacui verflogt wir ...
"Looking into the heart of light, the silence . . . " - T. S. Eliot «Un agne passe» - „Ein Engel schwebt durch den Raum" - ein Moment due Ruhe, der selten geworden ist in unserer Gesellschaft, die vom visuellen und sonoren horror vacui verflogt wir ...
U9838
01.01.1985
Notebook Page: Home in the Form of a Banana with Garage,  - Claes Oldenburg
Unbuilt Roads
Pencil and watercolor on paper, 5 3/4 x 4 in. (14.6 x 10.2 cm) ...
Pencil and watercolor on paper, 5 3/4 x 4 in. (14.6 x 10.2 cm) ...
W4247
24.05.2011
Writing on the wall - Eric Fong
WWW
This project is inspired by the political, economic and cultural changes in China and Germany in 1989 and after. While East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Romania moved towards democracy in 1989, China killed pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Squ ...
This project is inspired by the political, economic and cultural changes in China and Germany in 1989 and after. While East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Romania moved towards democracy in 1989, China killed pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Squ ...
W4770
29.05.2011
jean-paul moreira
WWW
For the location of a site specific vegetable garden installation, from the end of winter 2007 until fall, behind Blaak bus stop, near the WdKA in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, I imagined, designed and planned a 4x6x3metres glass house where climbing plants ...
For the location of a site specific vegetable garden installation, from the end of winter 2007 until fall, behind Blaak bus stop, near the WdKA in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, I imagined, designed and planned a 4x6x3metres glass house where climbing plants ...
W4989
28.08.2012
Food Sluice - Ulrike Möntmann
WWW
FOOD SLUICE The literal reference of the Food Sluice is to a way of channelling food. Following the principle of a sluice, the flow of food between two spaces is regulated, without there ever being a direct, open connection between these spaces. Un ...
FOOD SLUICE The literal reference of the Food Sluice is to a way of channelling food. Following the principle of a sluice, the flow of food between two spaces is regulated, without there ever being a direct, open connection between these spaces. Un ...
W5188
30.09.2012
‘Waiting for the Sunrise’ (To follow the light) - Betty Nigianni
WWW
‘Waiting for the Sunrise’ (To follow the light) - - Performance, digital photography, digital video, sculpture, varied dimensions (2011) Undertaken as a means for research, walking journeys in the city allowed for emerging themes, such as pilgrim ...
‘Waiting for the Sunrise’ (To follow the light) - - Performance, digital photography, digital video, sculpture, varied dimensions (2011) Undertaken as a means for research, walking journeys in the city allowed for emerging themes, such as pilgrim ...
W4016
22.05.2011
UNVEIL - Alessandro Rolandi
WWW
action-performance for Caochangdi Village project, spring 2011 1) With the help of several artists and local people from Caochangdi village,the message would be spread around of an artistic action involving the local people 2) After having bought arou ...
action-performance for Caochangdi Village project, spring 2011 1) With the help of several artists and local people from Caochangdi village,the message would be spread around of an artistic action involving the local people 2) After having bought arou ...
W3729
18.05.2011
“Minaret” - Felippe Moraes
WWW
The installation “Minaret” is constituted by a single scaffold 7m high with 2 pairs of stereo speakers in its top emitting simultaneously an African drum counting the prime numbers starting 2, 3, 5, 7, 11… going up to … 89, 97, 101 ...
The installation “Minaret” is constituted by a single scaffold 7m high with 2 pairs of stereo speakers in its top emitting simultaneously an African drum counting the prime numbers starting 2, 3, 5, 7, 11… going up to … 89, 97, 101 ...
W4227
24.05.2011
"5.9-by-8.5-inch Exhibition" - Toru Hayashi
WWW
"5.9-by-8.5-inch Exhibition" Selecting one of sketchbooks from my drawing project Equivocal Landscape* Publishing the same format (5.9 x 8.5 in. and 72 images of 144 pages) book as the sketchbook of Equivocal Landscape (at least 72 copies) ...
"5.9-by-8.5-inch Exhibition" Selecting one of sketchbooks from my drawing project Equivocal Landscape* Publishing the same format (5.9 x 8.5 in. and 72 images of 144 pages) book as the sketchbook of Equivocal Landscape (at least 72 copies) ...
W4302
24.05.2011
Black Box - Anna Balint, Béla Káli, József Tasnádi
WWW
Black Box  is a parallel reconstruction project evaluating the unique by repetition, an analyse of the essential existence of unrealized architectural projects through their increasing concrete existence. We construct a database of  50 remarkable archit ...
Black Box  is a parallel reconstruction project evaluating the unique by repetition, an analyse of the essential existence of unrealized architectural projects through their increasing concrete existence. We construct a database of  50 remarkable archit ...
W4845
08.08.2012
Floating Web - Rietveld Landscape
WWW
Floating Web Radio Kootwijk used to be the symbol of vision and innovation. However, the last couple of years it became the symbol of vacancy and stagnation. “The Web” – Radio Kootwijk revitalizes the alien innovation landscape from 1920. The Web ...
Floating Web Radio Kootwijk used to be the symbol of vision and innovation. However, the last couple of years it became the symbol of vacancy and stagnation. “The Web” – Radio Kootwijk revitalizes the alien innovation landscape from 1920. The Web ...
W4916
15.08.2012
Phobos self-degradation  - Toby Huddlestone
WWW
Toby Huddlestone Unrealised Proposal Phobos self-degradation – the artist sends a form of self-degrading archival document (time-capsule) to the Mars moon Phobos. Stickney crater, Phobos. Imaged by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, March 23, 2008. ...
Toby Huddlestone Unrealised Proposal Phobos self-degradation – the artist sends a form of self-degrading archival document (time-capsule) to the Mars moon Phobos. Stickney crater, Phobos. Imaged by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, March 23, 2008. ...
W4847
08.08.2012
In Theater - James Brendan Williams
WWW
In Theater I’d like to propose a sculptural installation of silent television monitors each displaying a fixed view of a performance stage from around the world. Forty Sony Cubes or Hantarex EQs are to be stacked in the form of a four-sided pyrami ...
In Theater I’d like to propose a sculptural installation of silent television monitors each displaying a fixed view of a performance stage from around the world. Forty Sony Cubes or Hantarex EQs are to be stacked in the form of a four-sided pyrami ...
W4341
24.05.2011
“Immediate work” - Janet Stafford
WWW
“Immediate work” is the way I describe my new work and proposed work because the basis for it is a process that involves walking into the woods or walking outside anywhere, being aware of what I am noticing, and then using what I am noticing to make w ...
“Immediate work” is the way I describe my new work and proposed work because the basis for it is a process that involves walking into the woods or walking outside anywhere, being aware of what I am noticing, and then using what I am noticing to make w ...
W5247
10.10.2012
Iain McPherson
WWW
Project: Create art work for a series of bus shelters (P-Stops) in Perm, Russia. Work must be strong enough to compete with graffiti. One panel (not shown) was accepted for the project. The last email I had said that this had been delayed to due fin ...
Project: Create art work for a series of bus shelters (P-Stops) in Perm, Russia. Work must be strong enough to compete with graffiti. One panel (not shown) was accepted for the project. The last email I had said that this had been delayed to due fin ...
W5152
24.09.2012
Greeting Hand - Ullrich Laentzsch
WWW
The poem is originally dedicated to the 72.8% of citizens of New York City who 2 weeks past 9/11 who two weeks past 9/11 opposed revenge. Later this poem became not only the visual basis for music video like closing scene of a feature film project NO WIND ...
The poem is originally dedicated to the 72.8% of citizens of New York City who 2 weeks past 9/11 who two weeks past 9/11 opposed revenge. Later this poem became not only the visual basis for music video like closing scene of a feature film project NO WIND ...
W4411
25.05.2011
PROJECT SUN RITE „GRAVITATION“ REAL LIFE  - Maria Dundakova
WWW
PROJECT SUN RITE „GRAVITATION“ REAL LIFE place of communication = city of transformation Contribution for the first international Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) design competition 2010, Abu Dhabi The project is an open-ended work, a WORK I ...
PROJECT SUN RITE „GRAVITATION“ REAL LIFE place of communication = city of transformation Contribution for the first international Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) design competition 2010, Abu Dhabi The project is an open-ended work, a WORK I ...
W4317
24.05.2011
LANGAGE - Tom Veeger & Ivo Schoofs
WWW
LANGAGE Proposition Neon construction cinétique Plaine de Plainpalais, Geneva Organisation Fmac, FCAC l'auteur Tom Veeger, MSc & Ivo Schoofs, BSc March 20th, 2011 LANGAGE La place est pleine de monde. Les hésitants regardent en l’air ...
LANGAGE Proposition Neon construction cinétique Plaine de Plainpalais, Geneva Organisation Fmac, FCAC l'auteur Tom Veeger, MSc & Ivo Schoofs, BSc March 20th, 2011 LANGAGE La place est pleine de monde. Les hésitants regardent en l’air ...
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 ...
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. ...