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.

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

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

A House of Dust - Alison Knowles

Billboard - Jimmie Durham

Projekt für die Landschaft des Mont-de-Sene (Burgund) im Rahmen eines öffentlichen Auftrags des französischen Kultusministeriums - Markus Raetz

PROJEKT - Ulrich Rückreim

Entwurf für einen erneuerten Malkasten 1992 - 1994 - Ulrike Holthöfer

Post Photographic apparatus - Steven Pippin

Unbetitelt, Gänse-Projekt + Noch unbetitelt , " Durch den Mund sehen " + Kartoffeln  - Carsten Holler

PROJECT FOR A COMMUNITY CENTER, AVENUE DES NARCISSES, CHENOVE - Vito Acconci

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W5475
21.10.2012
FROM RAPHAEL TO MOHAMED - Mo Abd-Ulla
WWW
The transformation of aesthetics and politics A practical research explicitly distinguishes between what is beautiful and what is interesting, exploring the differences between representation and reality. The project tackles the religious, social, c ...
The transformation of aesthetics and politics A practical research explicitly distinguishes between what is beautiful and what is interesting, exploring the differences between representation and reality. The project tackles the religious, social, c ...
W5240
09.10.2012
Stephanie Douet
WWW
Imagine a long, long, long rectangle, rolled up into the smallest tube. Take the end of the rectangle and begin to unfurl it. As it peels open, three small rectangles cut randomly into its surface swing open, at random angles. With no effort of arrangemen ...
Imagine a long, long, long rectangle, rolled up into the smallest tube. Take the end of the rectangle and begin to unfurl it. As it peels open, three small rectangles cut randomly into its surface swing open, at random angles. With no effort of arrangemen ...
W3987
21.05.2011
MEMORY CONFETTI  - STEPHEN j SHANABROOK / VERONIKA GEORGIEVA
WWW
The project MEMORY CONFETTI consists of two parts: through various social network sites we will introduce the project and request the public’s time based participation in sending us images that will be turned into 35 mm slides. These slides mixed with n ...
The project MEMORY CONFETTI consists of two parts: through various social network sites we will introduce the project and request the public’s time based participation in sending us images that will be turned into 35 mm slides. These slides mixed with n ...
W3737
18.05.2011
Pharos - Felippe Moraes
WWW
The installation “Pharos” consists in a 7m scaffold with a “moving head” lighting device that permits the yellow horizontal spinning light beam required for the work. This strong beam spins 365° horizontally, evoking the very symbolic ...
The installation “Pharos” consists in a 7m scaffold with a “moving head” lighting device that permits the yellow horizontal spinning light beam required for the work. This strong beam spins 365° horizontally, evoking the very symbolic ...
W4834
07.08.2012
Encapsulation - Michael Haight
WWW
Encapsulation is a project based on the power the white cube has to confer "art object-ness" onto whatever is contained inside as well its ability to select and reject what is to be encapsulated. The project has not yet been realized because of lack of fu ...
Encapsulation is a project based on the power the white cube has to confer "art object-ness" onto whatever is contained inside as well its ability to select and reject what is to be encapsulated. The project has not yet been realized because of lack of fu ...
W3534
11.05.2011
Dah Di-dah-dah Dah-dah-dah, Di-dah-di-dit Dah-dah-dah Di-di-di-dah Dit Di-dah-dit Di-di-dit - Stephan Apicella-Hitchcock
WWW
Dah Di-dah-dah Dah-dah-dah, Di-dah-di-dit Dah-dah-dah Di-di-di-dah Dit Di-dah-dit Di-di-dit, 1985 (approx.) – 2011, h 20 cm x w 13 cm (h 8” x w 5”), 82 page pocket book, black and white text pages printed on 60-pound (90g/m2) cream-colored paper, 4- ...
Dah Di-dah-dah Dah-dah-dah, Di-dah-di-dit Dah-dah-dah Di-di-di-dah Dit Di-dah-dit Di-di-dit, 1985 (approx.) – 2011, h 20 cm x w 13 cm (h 8” x w 5”), 82 page pocket book, black and white text pages printed on 60-pound (90g/m2) cream-colored paper, 4- ...
W4604
25.05.2011
Ideas as falling light energy for a day - Karen Roulstone
WWW
Ideas as falling light energy for a day These sample works are from the start of a project which aims were to attempt to map thought processes connected to ideas which can never be fully resolved. The plan was to map ideas diagrammatically as falling l ...
Ideas as falling light energy for a day These sample works are from the start of a project which aims were to attempt to map thought processes connected to ideas which can never be fully resolved. The plan was to map ideas diagrammatically as falling l ...
W4424
25.05.2011
Brianne Mackinnon
WWW
To extend the concepts of primary and secondary information associated to the distribution of conceptual art in the 1960's, an exhibition invitation will be distributed with the image of text through skywriting, "Opening Event, April 30, 6pm". When attend ...
To extend the concepts of primary and secondary information associated to the distribution of conceptual art in the 1960's, an exhibition invitation will be distributed with the image of text through skywriting, "Opening Event, April 30, 6pm". When attend ...
W5071
05.09.2012
Daily Range - Matan Ashkenazy
WWW
DAILY RANGE. MATAN ASHKENAZY This body of work includes colour photographs done in Israel with an 8x10 plate camera between 2009-2012. The images deal with confined space within the natural environment aesthetically, politically and construct wise. A ...
DAILY RANGE. MATAN ASHKENAZY This body of work includes colour photographs done in Israel with an 8x10 plate camera between 2009-2012. The images deal with confined space within the natural environment aesthetically, politically and construct wise. A ...
W4687
26.05.2011
August Ventimiglia
WWW
An action to be executed in a large open area. "Common red building brick units stacked then tossed outward to form scatter -- stacked units at center -- scatter dissipates. Survey grid laid over scatter. Create drawings of scatter then collect bricks at ...
An action to be executed in a large open area. "Common red building brick units stacked then tossed outward to form scatter -- stacked units at center -- scatter dissipates. Survey grid laid over scatter. Create drawings of scatter then collect bricks at ...
W4685
26.05.2011
Artist Statement  - barbara greene mann
WWW
Artist Statement These drawings are a new series about the ladies who shopped and shopped and lost their heads. Their necks were used as a periscope.and finally someone said, Put your money where your mouth is. Voila they became known as the Purse Heads. ...
Artist Statement These drawings are a new series about the ladies who shopped and shopped and lost their heads. Their necks were used as a periscope.and finally someone said, Put your money where your mouth is. Voila they became known as the Purse Heads. ...
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 ...
W4312
24.05.2011
Msquare4 - Andre Kodde
WWW
A call for unrealized projects Msquare4 You walk on an apparently miles long quay and all of a sudden a museum building arises. This time on poles over the water, but Msquare4 can be placed in every desired environment. Msquare4’s floor-plan is a gr ...
A call for unrealized projects Msquare4 You walk on an apparently miles long quay and all of a sudden a museum building arises. This time on poles over the water, but Msquare4 can be placed in every desired environment. Msquare4’s floor-plan is a gr ...
W4260
24.05.2011
Kristin Jones / Andrew Ginzel
WWW
Proposal for the Walker Art Center Minneapolis 1987 ...
Proposal for the Walker Art Center Minneapolis 1987 ...
W4480
25.05.2011
Laura Stein
WWW
I was working with a pyrotechnics specialist to develop shaped fire sculptures. We were working on building gas flame fueled armatures to define the form. AS the costs grew the project was put on the back burner after 6+ months of work and research! ...
I was working with a pyrotechnics specialist to develop shaped fire sculptures. We were working on building gas flame fueled armatures to define the form. AS the costs grew the project was put on the back burner after 6+ months of work and research! ...
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 ...
W5088
10.09.2012
Reversed Tower of Babel - Jacek Dziubiński
WWW
Jacek Dziubiński REVERSED TOWER OF BABEL PLACE: Platz der Republik, Berlin, Germany IDEA: As described in the Bible (Genesis), for an attempt to enter the heaven and the sin of pride God mixed up languages of builders of the Tower of Babel. A ...
Jacek Dziubiński REVERSED TOWER OF BABEL PLACE: Platz der Republik, Berlin, Germany IDEA: As described in the Bible (Genesis), for an attempt to enter the heaven and the sin of pride God mixed up languages of builders of the Tower of Babel. A ...
W10519
05.05.2014
State of Martial Law - Maximillian George
WWW
Since 9/11, we've been living under a kind of worldwide martial law. Liberties that we take for granted are being brought into question. By shutting off arbitrary streets in Stockholm, I intend to limit people in a small but alarming ways, as a reminde ...
Since 9/11, we've been living under a kind of worldwide martial law. Liberties that we take for granted are being brought into question. By shutting off arbitrary streets in Stockholm, I intend to limit people in a small but alarming ways, as a reminde ...
W3907
20.05.2011
Alan Yates
WWW
As Contemporary art exhibitions develop towards a multiplicity of practises and genres, many are being used for urban regeneration and environmental projects. In this new landscape I wish to lead on initiatives to re-shape the urban landscape to incorpora ...
As Contemporary art exhibitions develop towards a multiplicity of practises and genres, many are being used for urban regeneration and environmental projects. In this new landscape I wish to lead on initiatives to re-shape the urban landscape to incorpora ...
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 ...
W5073
05.09.2012
Not So Easy - Emilio Rojas in collaboration with Patrick Blaeser
WWW
To a viewer of a unrealized project To the viewer This is a letter of apology to you - the viewer- for a work of art that is missing, and At the time that the issue of working together was brought forward, I was not in the perhaps will never happen. O ...
To a viewer of a unrealized project To the viewer This is a letter of apology to you - the viewer- for a work of art that is missing, and At the time that the issue of working together was brought forward, I was not in the perhaps will never happen. O ...
U9807
01.01.1997
Cruzeiro Do Sul, (Southern Cross) (Crucero del Sur) 1969-70* - Cildo Meireles
Unbuilt Roads
A cube with a side measurement of 9 mm, consisting of two transverse sections: one of pine and the other of oak, trees that represented mythical beings in the cosmology of the Tupi Indians, beings whose correlation (mistakenly interpreted by the Jesuits a ...
A cube with a side measurement of 9 mm, consisting of two transverse sections: one of pine and the other of oak, trees that represented mythical beings in the cosmology of the Tupi Indians, beings whose correlation (mistakenly interpreted by the Jesuits a ...
W4471
25.05.2011
Marco Montiel-Soto
WWW
Berlín no está en la orilla del mar, esta enredada entre los canales del río Spree y de numerosos lagos a los alrededores, una superficie en movimiento perfecta para un nuevo proyecto de vivienda, un modelo de planificación urbana que sirve para los r ...
Berlín no está en la orilla del mar, esta enredada entre los canales del río Spree y de numerosos lagos a los alrededores, una superficie en movimiento perfecta para un nuevo proyecto de vivienda, un modelo de planificación urbana que sirve para los r ...
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. ...
W3650
15.05.2011
Justyn Zolli
WWW
These are two unrealized designs are for large stained glass windows. The designs is variable in scale, and the windows would make use of specialized glass such as lenses, roundel disks, and mouth-blown antique glass. This photo is derived from a maquette ...
These are two unrealized designs are for large stained glass windows. The designs is variable in scale, and the windows would make use of specialized glass such as lenses, roundel disks, and mouth-blown antique glass. This photo is derived from a maquette ...
W4088
23.05.2011
ANOTHER ACCELERATOR
WWW
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) of the CERN is nowadays the bigger and sophisticated machine of the world. So then it would be seen as a very interesting scientific feature, and also as a marvellous thing, that probably will show us many of the most desir ...
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) of the CERN is nowadays the bigger and sophisticated machine of the world. So then it would be seen as a very interesting scientific feature, and also as a marvellous thing, that probably will show us many of the most desir ...