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.

Cruzeiro Do Sul, (Southern Cross) (Crucero del Sur) 1969-70* - Cildo Meireles

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

Jake and Dinos Chapman's five proposals for an empty plinth situated on central londons trafalgar square - Jake and Dinos Chapman

Monument with Rust - Gustav Metzger

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

Social Resource Project For the Munich Olympics - Stephen Willats

Unrealized project for Tate Gallery + ICA, 1969 - Gilbert and George

Museum - Katharina Fritsch

Uncompleted 1966 - and on  - John Armleder

Tulips for Amsterdam - Isa Genzken

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
#
Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
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 ...
W4956
20.08.2012
Carpet Bombing- Iraqi Markets - Eugene Soler
WWW
Since the war in Iraq 2001 and the ousting of the Iraqi goverment in 2002-2003, we have witnessed the vast amount of insurgents who have used 'terror' as their main weapon. By attacking and bombing gathering places and large crowds, terrorists can inflict ...
Since the war in Iraq 2001 and the ousting of the Iraqi goverment in 2002-2003, we have witnessed the vast amount of insurgents who have used 'terror' as their main weapon. By attacking and bombing gathering places and large crowds, terrorists can inflict ...
W4920
16.08.2012
Performance of my fairy tale on the Pfaueninsel - Ann McCoy
WWW
Unrealized Project: Performance of my fairy tale on the Pfaueninsel. I have written a fairy tale about the alchemist Johan Kunckel who lived on the Pfauenisel and made red glass. I would like to stage a performance of the fairy tale on the Pfaueninsel.. ...
Unrealized Project: Performance of my fairy tale on the Pfaueninsel. I have written a fairy tale about the alchemist Johan Kunckel who lived on the Pfauenisel and made red glass. I would like to stage a performance of the fairy tale on the Pfaueninsel.. ...
W4401
25.05.2011
Proposal for Museo de Arte, Sacramento, Mexico. - Ursula Nistrup
WWW
Proposal for Museo de Arte, Sacramento, Mexico. The project I would like to propose is informed by the unique conditions you have created for the Museum as an abstract entity. It is inspired by ’The Idea of the North’ by the pianist and composer Gl ...
Proposal for Museo de Arte, Sacramento, Mexico. The project I would like to propose is informed by the unique conditions you have created for the Museum as an abstract entity. It is inspired by ’The Idea of the North’ by the pianist and composer Gl ...
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 ...
W4305
24.05.2011
BENEATH SAND AND SEA - Holger C. Lönze
WWW
BENEATH SAND AND SEA INTRODUCTION The proposed project is set within the physical and social context of Portobello Beach and intends to bring an aspect of the area’s hidden history back out into the light. It focuses on the historic Portobello Harbo ...
BENEATH SAND AND SEA INTRODUCTION The proposed project is set within the physical and social context of Portobello Beach and intends to bring an aspect of the area’s hidden history back out into the light. It focuses on the historic Portobello Harbo ...
W4356
25.05.2011
Sutton Scarsdale Hall, The pavilion of post-contemporary curating - Ben Allen
WWW
Sutton Scarsdale Hall, The pavilion of post-contemporary curating If the Sun and Moon Should Doubt/They’d immediately go out William Blake This proposal will be based around three successive phases of projects: infrastructural / experimental / in ...
Sutton Scarsdale Hall, The pavilion of post-contemporary curating If the Sun and Moon Should Doubt/They’d immediately go out William Blake This proposal will be based around three successive phases of projects: infrastructural / experimental / in ...
W3615
13.05.2011
In the Realm of Self - Shaun David Myles
WWW
Sculptural installation: This installation is an offshoot from a project developed over a number of years using the symbol of the heart, explored through multiple materials, for an investigation of the human condition. The two sculptures here, each ...
Sculptural installation: This installation is an offshoot from a project developed over a number of years using the symbol of the heart, explored through multiple materials, for an investigation of the human condition. The two sculptures here, each ...
W4703
26.05.2011
Sterling Crispin
WWW
My project involves a globally connected network of participants wearing EEG brain-computer interfaces. By displaying the average of thousands of live readings back to the participants their minds will slowly become closer to the average. Emerging brai ...
My project involves a globally connected network of participants wearing EEG brain-computer interfaces. By displaying the average of thousands of live readings back to the participants their minds will slowly become closer to the average. Emerging brai ...
W4350
24.05.2011
Far Along - ap-art-ment
WWW
Far Along Part 1 of Far Along will be a boat expedition/mobile exhibition to the Farallon Islands, officially a part of the City of San Francisco, though located 27 miles offshore. Forty-five participants will sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, and out ...
Far Along Part 1 of Far Along will be a boat expedition/mobile exhibition to the Farallon Islands, officially a part of the City of San Francisco, though located 27 miles offshore. Forty-five participants will sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, and out ...
W5012
30.08.2012
Stalactite Machine - Karen Lofgren
WWW
Stalactite Machine is an unrealized mechanical sculpture that was prototyped 3 times in metal and in wood over two years before being laid to rest. Karen Lofgren: Unrealized Art Project: Stalactite Machine Stalactite Machine is a sculpture that bui ...
Stalactite Machine is an unrealized mechanical sculpture that was prototyped 3 times in metal and in wood over two years before being laid to rest. Karen Lofgren: Unrealized Art Project: Stalactite Machine Stalactite Machine is a sculpture that bui ...
W5481
21.10.2012
Jae Yeon Chung
WWW
This work is about an imaginary private emergency shelter underneath church crypt. The work consists of a short video and two installed pieces, one inside and one outside the church, which demarcate the entrance and the exit to the emergency shelter.... ...
This work is about an imaginary private emergency shelter underneath church crypt. The work consists of a short video and two installed pieces, one inside and one outside the church, which demarcate the entrance and the exit to the emergency shelter.... ...
W3568
12.05.2011
The Pantheon 2001 - Julianna Balogh
WWW
Concept: to create a Pantheon for women of the 21st century and dedicate the building to Hillary Clinton because I see it as an artist that in this moment of history the world needs women, the caretakers, as leaders who can "connect the dots". The buil ...
Concept: to create a Pantheon for women of the 21st century and dedicate the building to Hillary Clinton because I see it as an artist that in this moment of history the world needs women, the caretakers, as leaders who can "connect the dots". The buil ...
W4254
24.05.2011
Jim Foster
WWW
JIM FOSTER 10315 N. County Rd. 15 • Fort Collins CO 80524 • USA 970.568.7768 fostart.jimart@gmail.com Museum Exhibitions/Selected 2010 - Fukuoka Asian Art Museum: Fukuoka, Japan. World Peace Through Art: Matsuda Bokuden & H ...
JIM FOSTER 10315 N. County Rd. 15 • Fort Collins CO 80524 • USA 970.568.7768 fostart.jimart@gmail.com Museum Exhibitions/Selected 2010 - Fukuoka Asian Art Museum: Fukuoka, Japan. World Peace Through Art: Matsuda Bokuden & H ...
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 ...
W5121
18.09.2012
Mo White
WWW
In 2009 I made a film whose completion has been continually postponed. I made the film quickly with materials to hand, in Super 8 format. The making of the work was an immediate reaction and response to a small event. ‘In March 2009 I bought a lime ...
In 2009 I made a film whose completion has been continually postponed. I made the film quickly with materials to hand, in Super 8 format. The making of the work was an immediate reaction and response to a small event. ‘In March 2009 I bought a lime ...
W4127
23.05.2011
Proposed Future - Ann Marie Webb
WWW
Architecture is the most visible sign of a society's faith and trust in the future. The ability to move forward and construct a future is greatly effected by how our views are framed. This work explores the built landscape and its affects ...
Architecture is the most visible sign of a society's faith and trust in the future. The ability to move forward and construct a future is greatly effected by how our views are framed. This work explores the built landscape and its affects ...
W5100
13.09.2012
je vois passer les roses - Copa & Sordes
WWW
One more idea for ornaments in public space and in private life. See PDF ...
One more idea for ornaments in public space and in private life. See PDF ...
W4267
24.05.2011
“Truth Highway” - Jiivanii RedMarks
WWW
“Truth Highway” The Abstract Artist: Jiivanii RedMarks © 2007 Location: Jamaica “Truth Highway” is an Outdoor Sculpture represented by a transparent glass stairway, standing at about twenty-five meters off the ground or infinity. This escalato ...
“Truth Highway” The Abstract Artist: Jiivanii RedMarks © 2007 Location: Jamaica “Truth Highway” is an Outdoor Sculpture represented by a transparent glass stairway, standing at about twenty-five meters off the ground or infinity. This escalato ...
W4938
19.08.2012
You Are Here - Silvio Valpreda
WWW
Silvio Valpreda impossible art project YOU ARE HERE Kibera - Nairobi (Kenya) Statements Slum A slum, as defined by the United Nations agency UNHABITAT, is a run-down area of a city characterized by substandard housing and squalor and lacking i ...
Silvio Valpreda impossible art project YOU ARE HERE Kibera - Nairobi (Kenya) Statements Slum A slum, as defined by the United Nations agency UNHABITAT, is a run-down area of a city characterized by substandard housing and squalor and lacking i ...
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 ...
W5345
18.10.2012
Lisa Bateman
WWW
An installation of public smell (ocean, brine, tar, old fish) -housed inside an abandoned parking shack at the site of the old Fulton Fish Market, NYC. Smell is emitted from a DMX HVAC scent through the fence and into public space. ...
An installation of public smell (ocean, brine, tar, old fish) -housed inside an abandoned parking shack at the site of the old Fulton Fish Market, NYC. Smell is emitted from a DMX HVAC scent through the fence and into public space. ...
W5150
24.09.2012
a Tunnel - Nimrod Reuveni
WWW
A Tunnel - an unrealized project The project was designed for "Fresh Paint 3" art fair in Tel Aviv, 2009, as a special project of Nimrod Reuveni in collaboration with Dani Karavan. Explanation: Three-dimensional composition, consisting of ready m ...
A Tunnel - an unrealized project The project was designed for "Fresh Paint 3" art fair in Tel Aviv, 2009, as a special project of Nimrod Reuveni in collaboration with Dani Karavan. Explanation: Three-dimensional composition, consisting of ready m ...
W5037
01.09.2012
Cultivating the Field of the Absurd - Barbara Nemitz
WWW
Title: " Cultivating the Field of the Absurd" The work is to be made in the landscape. In an open part with a large plain - some shrubberies and trees may be around - an extensive embroidery is to be seen on the ground. It is made out of silky shimmer ...
Title: " Cultivating the Field of the Absurd" The work is to be made in the landscape. In an open part with a large plain - some shrubberies and trees may be around - an extensive embroidery is to be seen on the ground. It is made out of silky shimmer ...
U9774
01.01.1994
Arrangement Stroom HCBK Den Haag - Ange Leccia
Unbuilt Roads
l'ecran video Geant construit dans le prolongement de l'architecture de l'opera de la ville (Philipszaal) difuse en continue une image de la mer inversée. (Eventuellement raisons pour lesquelles le travail n'a pu etre realise) Cout élevé. (Trop!) ...
l'ecran video Geant construit dans le prolongement de l'architecture de l'opera de la ville (Philipszaal) difuse en continue une image de la mer inversée. (Eventuellement raisons pour lesquelles le travail n'a pu etre realise) Cout élevé. (Trop!) ...
U9478
01.01.1984
Projets non réalisés: - Daniel Buren
Unbuilt Roads
La liste non exhaustive qui suit correspond une á série de projets qui n'ont pas abouti. Ils sont de plusieurs types et les raisons de leur non aboutissement sont également différentes. Tout d'abord, tous sont liés des situations précises et dict ...
La liste non exhaustive qui suit correspond une á série de projets qui n'ont pas abouti. Ils sont de plusieurs types et les raisons de leur non aboutissement sont également différentes. Tout d'abord, tous sont liés des situations précises et dict ...