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.

Progetto per Gerry Schum - Guiseppe Penone

Unrealized Turtles 1967 - Joseph Grigely

Placid Earth: A Project for the Meeting of Millennia - Cai Guo Quiang

A House of Dust - Alison Knowles

Visual Poem: Cap I Cua - Joan Brossa

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

Monumento all'agricoltura 1969-70 - Alighiero Boetti

Social Resource Project For the Munich Olympics - Stephen Willats

Grand Concours International D'Architecture  - Mahe Gilles

Merci, Thank you, Danke: Les 2 sujets  - Thomas Hirschorn

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4654
25.05.2011
City of Revolutions - Stefanos Tsivopoulos
WWW
City of Revolutions An unrealized project by Stefanos Tsivopoulos "Whoever could be in charge of the public sphere of Tehran was in charge of the country. The contest over, and the domination of, the public spaces of the city was the embodiment of the ...
City of Revolutions An unrealized project by Stefanos Tsivopoulos "Whoever could be in charge of the public sphere of Tehran was in charge of the country. The contest over, and the domination of, the public spaces of the city was the embodiment of the ...
W5464
21.10.2012
Electron Self-Portrait - Lauren Jo
WWW
An electron microscope uses a beam of electrons to illuminate a specimen and produce a magnified image. In particular, a scanning electron microscope shoots focused electron beams that rather than carrying an image itself back to the lens, probes the spec ...
An electron microscope uses a beam of electrons to illuminate a specimen and produce a magnified image. In particular, a scanning electron microscope shoots focused electron beams that rather than carrying an image itself back to the lens, probes the spec ...
W4506
25.05.2011
The Dead Brushes Society - Paulo Patrício
WWW
The Dead Brushes Society Unrealized project for an exhibition presenting old or/and unused brushes who belong to acclaimed contemporary artists. Brushes they love or with which they did major works (or at least, representative of they're career). That du ...
The Dead Brushes Society Unrealized project for an exhibition presenting old or/and unused brushes who belong to acclaimed contemporary artists. Brushes they love or with which they did major works (or at least, representative of they're career). That du ...
W4640
25.05.2011
“Hey, wave!” - Maria Dundakova
WWW
Project “Hey, wave!” Video movie script © MARIA DUNDAKOVA a Man and a Wave The Wave – your pulse comes from the heart of the earth your dance is as light as the clouds and as heavy as an unborn child in the belly of his mother wave – you come to ...
Project “Hey, wave!” Video movie script © MARIA DUNDAKOVA a Man and a Wave The Wave – your pulse comes from the heart of the earth your dance is as light as the clouds and as heavy as an unborn child in the belly of his mother wave – you come to ...
U9796
28.02.1995
Broadway Musicals - Christian Marclay
Unbuilt Roads
Proposal for a Times Square Business Improvement District Traffic Median Public Art Project Febuary 28th, 1995 Artist: Christian Marclay Title: Broadway Musicals Site: Traffic median between Broadway and Seventh Avenue, from 4 ...
Proposal for a Times Square Business Improvement District Traffic Median Public Art Project Febuary 28th, 1995 Artist: Christian Marclay Title: Broadway Musicals Site: Traffic median between Broadway and Seventh Avenue, from 4 ...
W4487
25.05.2011
lori brown
WWW
The wificommune is a retro-fitted environmentally sustainable bus providing social services for the Seneca Nation communities in Upstate New York. Using solar power as a source of energy, this bus is designed to provide internet connections, a classroom ...
The wificommune is a retro-fitted environmentally sustainable bus providing social services for the Seneca Nation communities in Upstate New York. Using solar power as a source of energy, this bus is designed to provide internet connections, a classroom ...
W3682
16.05.2011
Nick Crowe and Ian Rawlinson
WWW
Two Barges is a proposal for a pair of illuminated signs to be ferried around the island of Manhattan using the Hudson, Harlem and East Rivers.   The signs will be made from panels of tungsten lightbulbs fixed to a supporting metal rig.   The letters wi ...
Two Barges is a proposal for a pair of illuminated signs to be ferried around the island of Manhattan using the Hudson, Harlem and East Rivers.   The signs will be made from panels of tungsten lightbulbs fixed to a supporting metal rig.   The letters wi ...
W4778
02.06.2011
Twin Towers - Joao Felino
WWW
The work title is Twin Towers, and is constituted by two piles of Letter size office paper sheets with overall dimensions around 21.5" x 22" and 60" high, according not with scale but with the proportions of the World Trade Center buildings 1 and 2 once e ...
The work title is Twin Towers, and is constituted by two piles of Letter size office paper sheets with overall dimensions around 21.5" x 22" and 60" high, according not with scale but with the proportions of the World Trade Center buildings 1 and 2 once e ...
W5208
04.10.2012
Lure - Noa Nahari
WWW
Noa Nahari Name: Lure Year: 2013/4 Neo Marxism claims the media are a tool to handle capitalistic power that wishes to exploit the working class to earn more money. For example, communication channels will produce programs that specifically attract a ...
Noa Nahari Name: Lure Year: 2013/4 Neo Marxism claims the media are a tool to handle capitalistic power that wishes to exploit the working class to earn more money. For example, communication channels will produce programs that specifically attract a ...
W4871
09.08.2012
Pots - Antigone Michalakopoulou
WWW
Pots. A site specific proposal, for a non permanent installation. A neutral, interior space considered as a “Pot”. Inside this space I build a large scale model, an abstract structure. It consists of carton boxes - rectangular and cubic ones, of ...
Pots. A site specific proposal, for a non permanent installation. A neutral, interior space considered as a “Pot”. Inside this space I build a large scale model, an abstract structure. It consists of carton boxes - rectangular and cubic ones, of ...
W3477
11.05.2011
Douglas Park
WWW
Douglas Park, U.K based and internationally active visual artist, author (of literary prose and critical essays), as well as exhibition curator (and increasingly all practices combined) douglasrpark@googlemail.com http://www.myspace.com/douglas_park +44 7 ...
Douglas Park, U.K based and internationally active visual artist, author (of literary prose and critical essays), as well as exhibition curator (and increasingly all practices combined) douglasrpark@googlemail.com http://www.myspace.com/douglas_park +44 7 ...
W3484
11.05.2011
Cenotaph /Golden Matress (working title) - Hannes Bend
WWW
Cenotaph /Golden Matress (working title) By Hannes Bend Cenotaph/Golden Mattress (working title), will be a life-size candy cast golden mattress. The sculpture will be left unvarnished, inviting the viewers to lick the vertically standing piece. Pla ...
Cenotaph /Golden Matress (working title) By Hannes Bend Cenotaph/Golden Mattress (working title), will be a life-size candy cast golden mattress. The sculpture will be left unvarnished, inviting the viewers to lick the vertically standing piece. Pla ...
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 ...
W4258
24.05.2011
A Dead Voice from a Lost Age - John Patrick Egan
WWW
So, the work I would like to submit is (was?) intended to bear the moniker (working title) A Dead Voice from a Lost Age. The concept for the piece derived, initially, from my training as a musician, specifically my specialisation in the baroque and transi ...
So, the work I would like to submit is (was?) intended to bear the moniker (working title) A Dead Voice from a Lost Age. The concept for the piece derived, initially, from my training as a musician, specifically my specialisation in the baroque and transi ...
W3913
20.05.2011
Project Title: 10 Museums of Mental Objects (MoMOs) - Judy Freya Sibayan
WWW
I am proposing a performance to establish 10 Museums of Mental Objects. Founded in 2002 by Judy Freya Sibayan and Matt Price, MoMO is a “performance art museum for life.” At present, Price and Sibayan are the curators of and are the Museum of Mental O ...
I am proposing a performance to establish 10 Museums of Mental Objects. Founded in 2002 by Judy Freya Sibayan and Matt Price, MoMO is a “performance art museum for life.” At present, Price and Sibayan are the curators of and are the Museum of Mental O ...
W3906
20.05.2011
Michael Hanna
WWW
W4809
07.08.2012
Transitional Monument - David Mabb
WWW
Transitional Monument (2004). Digital montage. Dimensions variable. Transitional Monument was made as a proposal for a public artwork. The two images show photos of a now demolished sixties tower block, Linosa Close, Liverpool, with William Morris d ...
Transitional Monument (2004). Digital montage. Dimensions variable. Transitional Monument was made as a proposal for a public artwork. The two images show photos of a now demolished sixties tower block, Linosa Close, Liverpool, with William Morris d ...
W4434
25.05.2011
Untitled - Paul-Armand Gette
WWW
Paul-Armand Gette Untitled Project for the wood of sculptures of Vassivière island, France July 1991 On the top of a forest area behind the Centre international d’art et du paysage A block of granite chosen in the wooden part of Vassivière is ...
Paul-Armand Gette Untitled Project for the wood of sculptures of Vassivière island, France July 1991 On the top of a forest area behind the Centre international d’art et du paysage A block of granite chosen in the wooden part of Vassivière is ...
W4353
25.05.2011
Circular escalator - Ricardo Gomes
WWW
Circular escalator Through our research of the City of Perth’s master plan, the public success of the revitalization of Forrest Place not only depends upon the current restructuring already under way in the vicinity, but also upon the creation of a n ...
Circular escalator Through our research of the City of Perth’s master plan, the public success of the revitalization of Forrest Place not only depends upon the current restructuring already under way in the vicinity, but also upon the creation of a n ...
W4897
11.08.2012
Au Fil des Pats - Mondele Limba Isaac
WWW
Exp. : Isaac MONDELE Tél. : +243 81 36 66 111 E-mail : mondeleisaac@yahoo.fr Objet : candidature A monsieur les jures Monsieur, Votre annonce parue sur le site d appel aux artiste pour un appel a candida ...
Exp. : Isaac MONDELE Tél. : +243 81 36 66 111 E-mail : mondeleisaac@yahoo.fr Objet : candidature A monsieur les jures Monsieur, Votre annonce parue sur le site d appel aux artiste pour un appel a candida ...
W3939
20.05.2011
R. Marcos Mota
WWW
DESCRIPTION The project consists of built inside the Civic Centre Sant Andreu a toilet for the disabled who do not meet standards of accessibility measures.

 It will build a separate room of existing toilets within the Civic Center that the dynamics ...
DESCRIPTION The project consists of built inside the Civic Centre Sant Andreu a toilet for the disabled who do not meet standards of accessibility measures.

 It will build a separate room of existing toilets within the Civic Center that the dynamics ...
W4520
25.05.2011
take charge of your life.  - Joan Vicent Marí Domenech
WWW
The unrealized project that I present is called: take charge of your life. These is what I was doing during my studies in fine arts Erasmus in Athens. Knowing myself. Began with a series of banners carried out haphazardly. The two images presen ...
The unrealized project that I present is called: take charge of your life. These is what I was doing during my studies in fine arts Erasmus in Athens. Knowing myself. Began with a series of banners carried out haphazardly. The two images presen ...
W4576
25.05.2011
UNREALIZED PROJECT PROPOSAL - Jud Yalkut
WWW
UNREALIZED PROJECT PROPOSAL JUD YALKUT “End (Less) Loops: was a proposal offered in response to an invitation to the “Perform/Create CPT’s Earth Day/ Chernobyl/Commemoration” t the Cleveland Public Theatre in Ohio for April 25-25, 1992at a s ...
UNREALIZED PROJECT PROPOSAL JUD YALKUT “End (Less) Loops: was a proposal offered in response to an invitation to the “Perform/Create CPT’s Earth Day/ Chernobyl/Commemoration” t the Cleveland Public Theatre in Ohio for April 25-25, 1992at a s ...
W5061
03.09.2012
The story of an aspirant - Eni Turkeshi
WWW
The story of an aspirant A waiting woman prolonged expectations delayed wishes nurtured hopes infidelity cracks broken hearts plastered again and again with love stripes unslaked fire never ending longing resurrecting Phoenix the story of a wo ...
The story of an aspirant A waiting woman prolonged expectations delayed wishes nurtured hopes infidelity cracks broken hearts plastered again and again with love stripes unslaked fire never ending longing resurrecting Phoenix the story of a wo ...
W5005
30.08.2012
Hanover House - Peter Friedl
WWW
Peter Friedl, Hanover House, 2003 Proposal for Hanover 5 inkjet prints, 100 x 133 cm each Hanover House (2003) Treehouses are common images and objects of desire for individualism, dropping out, childhood, being in tune with nature, self-determin ...
Peter Friedl, Hanover House, 2003 Proposal for Hanover 5 inkjet prints, 100 x 133 cm each Hanover House (2003) Treehouses are common images and objects of desire for individualism, dropping out, childhood, being in tune with nature, self-determin ...
W4827
07.08.2012
10 metal right angles and 3 pieces of wood - Jerstin Crosby
WWW
10 metal right angles and 3 pieces of wood Size Variable (Temporary modular public art piece that may be rearranged into any variable form by anyone.) 2001 All that remains of this unrealized modular public art concept are a few wrinkled Xerox co ...
10 metal right angles and 3 pieces of wood Size Variable (Temporary modular public art piece that may be rearranged into any variable form by anyone.) 2001 All that remains of this unrealized modular public art concept are a few wrinkled Xerox co ...