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.

La Guerra De Los Simbolos - Victor Grippo

Arrangement Stroom HCBK Den Haag - Ange Leccia

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

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

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

Unrealized Projects - Jonas Meckas

Brücke Wein-Kanal Arch. Hermann Czech, Wein - Franz West

Der New-Babyloner - Constant

A FAIRLY TALL TOWER, 48,000 Miles High -  - Siah Armajani

Financial Times Millennium Bridge Competition - Richard Serra and Frank Gehry

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W3584
13.05.2011
Proposal to an open call for the 2011 Emdash Award - Boris Dornbusch
WWW
The following project was a proposal to an open call for the 2011 Emdash Award. However, it is an idea I have developed in response to any Art Fair: A smaller-scale replica of the Frieze's exhibition tent is pitched in the exhibition pavilion. ...
The following project was a proposal to an open call for the 2011 Emdash Award. However, it is an idea I have developed in response to any Art Fair: A smaller-scale replica of the Frieze's exhibition tent is pitched in the exhibition pavilion. ...
W3597
13.05.2011
Heman Chong
WWW
I wanted to purchase the coffee table in Room 503, Hong Lou Hotel, Lianzhou, China and to mount it as a monument for all the shady deals that have been worked out over this table at a solo at Vitamin Creative Space in Guangzhou. ...
I wanted to purchase the coffee table in Room 503, Hong Lou Hotel, Lianzhou, China and to mount it as a monument for all the shady deals that have been worked out over this table at a solo at Vitamin Creative Space in Guangzhou. ...
W4908
13.08.2012
A collateral time. - Annalisa Furnari
WWW
A collateral time. Two videoinstallations: screening of two movies archive reprocessed in postproduction. In relation to each video, two sculptural installations: A base of white cement on where it is deposited a mat black mattress A volcanic mono ...
A collateral time. Two videoinstallations: screening of two movies archive reprocessed in postproduction. In relation to each video, two sculptural installations: A base of white cement on where it is deposited a mat black mattress A volcanic mono ...
W4708
26.05.2011
Pool Sweep - Lisa Hein
WWW
POOL SWEEP Proposal for a Polluted River 2004 A kidney-shaped pool rim floats in an eddy of the Housatonic River. The pool has no bottom; the river fills it. Inside this enclosure, an animated buoy chugs about, trailing strings of floats ...
POOL SWEEP Proposal for a Polluted River 2004 A kidney-shaped pool rim floats in an eddy of the Housatonic River. The pool has no bottom; the river fills it. Inside this enclosure, an animated buoy chugs about, trailing strings of floats ...
W3521
11.05.2011
Booming Bratislava - PJ Bruyniks
WWW
Booming Bratislava (= working title) or Make Hot Spots instead of Cold War A combination of an art project, road movie, art scouting, crash course and hype-setting. But also the start of a network of art sister cities (art town twinning). Th ...
Booming Bratislava (= working title) or Make Hot Spots instead of Cold War A combination of an art project, road movie, art scouting, crash course and hype-setting. But also the start of a network of art sister cities (art town twinning). Th ...
W3794
18.05.2011
The Local Tourist Project - Tempestt Hazel
WWW
The Local Tourist Project Proposed for the Apex Art Franchise Call for 400-word Curatorial Proposals Tempestt Hazel | Chicago, 2010 Traveling from a place of familiarity to explore new territory has driven technology, expansion and economy on a globa ...
The Local Tourist Project Proposed for the Apex Art Franchise Call for 400-word Curatorial Proposals Tempestt Hazel | Chicago, 2010 Traveling from a place of familiarity to explore new territory has driven technology, expansion and economy on a globa ...
W4527
25.05.2011
Sculpture Installation - Jaime Szczepanski
WWW
Proposal 3: Sculpture Installation Location: Convention Center Boulevard, Canal Boulevard For this project, two standard bus stop shelters will be installed in two locations. The appearance, dimensions and scale of these awnings will match those seen ...
Proposal 3: Sculpture Installation Location: Convention Center Boulevard, Canal Boulevard For this project, two standard bus stop shelters will be installed in two locations. The appearance, dimensions and scale of these awnings will match those seen ...
W4622
25.05.2011
THE STAR OF MIAMI - Roberto Behar & Rosario Marquardt / R & R Studios
WWW
THE STAR OF MIAMI WATERMARK & PUBLIC PARK The origin of The Star of Miami is in the sky, the idea of hope and the world of tomorrow. Like a cardinal star that unites North, South, East and West, the northern star that guides sailors to new lands and a ...
THE STAR OF MIAMI WATERMARK & PUBLIC PARK The origin of The Star of Miami is in the sky, the idea of hope and the world of tomorrow. Like a cardinal star that unites North, South, East and West, the northern star that guides sailors to new lands and a ...
W4666
25.05.2011
Carlos Lérias
WWW
The fragments presented here by the Migratory Museum, are the parts of a live cast mask of my face. Moved on in one hand by the incessant obsession with disappearance, invisibility, forgetfulness and nomadism, and on the other hand by the museum’s troub ...
The fragments presented here by the Migratory Museum, are the parts of a live cast mask of my face. Moved on in one hand by the incessant obsession with disappearance, invisibility, forgetfulness and nomadism, and on the other hand by the museum’s troub ...
W4953
20.08.2012
Monika Drożyńska
WWW
Laznia Centre for Contemporary Art is an animator of a new artistic project whose aim is to create a permanent collection of artworks in the urban space. It is supposed to act as a stimulus to change the character of the district, where the institution ...
Laznia Centre for Contemporary Art is an animator of a new artistic project whose aim is to create a permanent collection of artworks in the urban space. It is supposed to act as a stimulus to change the character of the district, where the institution ...
W10287
01.01.2007
Anthroepiphytic - Héctor Zamora
WWW
Dimensions: Variable Technique: scaffolding structure Exhibition: Frontera - Esbozo para la creación de una sociedad del futuro Place: Frontera Corozal - Chiapas - México Antroepiphytic consists of the building of a walkable tower around an ...
Dimensions: Variable Technique: scaffolding structure Exhibition: Frontera - Esbozo para la creación de una sociedad del futuro Place: Frontera Corozal - Chiapas - México Antroepiphytic consists of the building of a walkable tower around an ...
W5200
03.10.2012
The plan of scientific work « Russian branch Mecklenburg - Strelitz family. Russia - Germany. Sight of the artist of XXI century. » - Yuri Wassiliew
WWW
Wassiliew J.A., dozent of drawing department in A.I.Gertzen Russian State Pedagogical University, Sankt Petersburg, Russia. The plan of scientific work « Russian branch Mecklenburg - Strelitz family. Russia - Germany. Sight of the art ...
Wassiliew J.A., dozent of drawing department in A.I.Gertzen Russian State Pedagogical University, Sankt Petersburg, Russia. The plan of scientific work « Russian branch Mecklenburg - Strelitz family. Russia - Germany. Sight of the art ...
W5104
13.09.2012
LOST IN THE LIGHT | the FUTURE IS the PAST | simple TENSE - Barbara Fragogna
WWW
LOST IN THE LIGHT | the FUTURE IS the PAST | simple TENSE mixed media installation CONCEPT LOST IN A LIGHT-BOX We are used to be lost in the dark. The dark represents the subconscious, the death, the universe, the nothing, the danger and in general ...
LOST IN THE LIGHT | the FUTURE IS the PAST | simple TENSE mixed media installation CONCEPT LOST IN A LIGHT-BOX We are used to be lost in the dark. The dark represents the subconscious, the death, the universe, the nothing, the danger and in general ...
W4084
23.05.2011
"After the Council"  - Hunter/Lassal
WWW
"After the Council" (2006) is a playful reflection upon power and adornment on one level, as well as resources and recycling on another. ...
"After the Council" (2006) is a playful reflection upon power and adornment on one level, as well as resources and recycling on another. ...
W4922
18.08.2012
sin∞fin – The Logbook and Left Over’s Installation "An Itinerary on the Boarders of our Bodies" - VestAndPage (Verena Stenke & Andrea Pagnes)
WWW
The idea of making a Logbook that digs into the core of the poiesis of VestAndPage’s recently edited movie trilogy sin∞fin - The Movie (hybrid opera combining Performance art and filmmaking), as cornerstone of an exhibition installation of various ori ...
The idea of making a Logbook that digs into the core of the poiesis of VestAndPage’s recently edited movie trilogy sin∞fin - The Movie (hybrid opera combining Performance art and filmmaking), as cornerstone of an exhibition installation of various ori ...
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 ...
W4781
03.06.2011
City of Today: Development for Feminine Urbanism  - Coralina Meyer
WWW
City of Today: Development for Feminine Urbanism A proposal for a fresh urban perspective, the City of Today is a product of the Old Girls Club. It is a series of presentations/drawings/performances/historic fictions where clients are asked to parti ...
City of Today: Development for Feminine Urbanism A proposal for a fresh urban perspective, the City of Today is a product of the Old Girls Club. It is a series of presentations/drawings/performances/historic fictions where clients are asked to parti ...
W4891
10.08.2012
Rachael Agnew
WWW
This project questions the structure of the foundations of scientific reality based on the atomic model and contrasts this with the philosophy of phenomenology. The paradox of these two contrasting foundations creates an opening for exploration while also ...
This project questions the structure of the foundations of scientific reality based on the atomic model and contrasts this with the philosophy of phenomenology. The paradox of these two contrasting foundations creates an opening for exploration while also ...
W3498
11.05.2011
John Ryan
WWW
A meek critique of ambiguous language used in art criticism and statements, I created a list of advice for artists, composed of cut outs from horoscopes. ...
A meek critique of ambiguous language used in art criticism and statements, I created a list of advice for artists, composed of cut outs from horoscopes. ...
W4648
25.05.2011
NATURE CAN ALL  - Urssa Severa
WWW
NATURE CAN ALL A Land art project by Urssa Severa A land art project that aims to interrogate Nature as a representative of God´s masterpiece about its own contradictions. Intervention #1 A symbolist or abstract approach will be proposed, where two phr ...
NATURE CAN ALL A Land art project by Urssa Severa A land art project that aims to interrogate Nature as a representative of God´s masterpiece about its own contradictions. Intervention #1 A symbolist or abstract approach will be proposed, where two phr ...
W5158
24.09.2012
"Metrópolis" and "City Lights" - Alexis Duque
WWW
These are Acrylic on canvas paintings. Metropolis 48x24 Inches City Lights 1 36x48 Inches You can see thses images and more at: www.alexisduque.net Alexis Duque: Metrópolis In his new series of paintings, Alexis Duque presents us with an idea ...
These are Acrylic on canvas paintings. Metropolis 48x24 Inches City Lights 1 36x48 Inches You can see thses images and more at: www.alexisduque.net Alexis Duque: Metrópolis In his new series of paintings, Alexis Duque presents us with an idea ...
W4547
25.05.2011
ICONIC VIRTUALITY - Peter Dyson/THE ALTERMODERN GROUP
WWW
ICONIC VIRTUALITY Uluru, the World Heritage-listed site in central Australia has been a spiritual icon for the indigenous people of the island continent for over 60,000 years and a focus for white man’s tourism for a mere 160 years. It is a formida ...
ICONIC VIRTUALITY Uluru, the World Heritage-listed site in central Australia has been a spiritual icon for the indigenous people of the island continent for over 60,000 years and a focus for white man’s tourism for a mere 160 years. It is a formida ...
W3915
20.05.2011
Gorica Orsholits
WWW
This is one of my first projects where I tried to reflect on my personal emotional state towards the war in Bosnia (1992-1995), and the notion of constantly “living between two wars" experiences by many generations born in the turmoil Balkan region. ...
This is one of my first projects where I tried to reflect on my personal emotional state towards the war in Bosnia (1992-1995), and the notion of constantly “living between two wars" experiences by many generations born in the turmoil Balkan region. ...
W4361
25.05.2011
Drapeaux : Symboles d’identité (Flags : Symbols of Identity) - Alfonso Arzapalo
WWW
Drapeaux : Symboles d’identité (Flags : Symbols of Identity) Flag No. 44 From the series: Flags The project was a proposal for the Manif d'Art 2008, in Quebec City whose theme was "la rencontre" (the get together) and was part of the 400 anniv ...
Drapeaux : Symboles d’identité (Flags : Symbols of Identity) Flag No. 44 From the series: Flags The project was a proposal for the Manif d'Art 2008, in Quebec City whose theme was "la rencontre" (the get together) and was part of the 400 anniv ...
W5026
31.08.2012
Blow Job - Peter Friedl
WWW
Blow Job Peter Friedl Proposal, Hamburger Kunsthalle, 2004 Blow Job (working title) is an exhibition project dealing with theatricality and its media possibilities. In the form of a monographically structured project, I treat various themes with wh ...
Blow Job Peter Friedl Proposal, Hamburger Kunsthalle, 2004 Blow Job (working title) is an exhibition project dealing with theatricality and its media possibilities. In the form of a monographically structured project, I treat various themes with wh ...
W4223
24.05.2011
Ice Shells - Alex Hamilton
WWW
Ice Shells Casts made from Light racing boats (Shells), and boats made from ice cast. Using the facilities and personnel of the University College of London Boat Racing Club. The moulds will be Rtv silicon rubber. The shells, including oars and some w ...
Ice Shells Casts made from Light racing boats (Shells), and boats made from ice cast. Using the facilities and personnel of the University College of London Boat Racing Club. The moulds will be Rtv silicon rubber. The shells, including oars and some w ...