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.

Project 1 + Project 2 - Simryn Gill

Monumento all'agricoltura 1969-70 - Alighiero Boetti

The bridge according to Jeong-a's dream - Koo Jeong

<A Public Misery Message> - Critical Art Ensemble

City Hall Tower Night Ilumination - Krysztof Wodiczko

Projet pour la Place Saint Léger à Chambery  - Erik Dietman

Battery Park City - Per Kirkeby

PROPOSAL FOR SEATTLE ARTS COMMISSION, IN PUBLIC - Chris Burden

Douglas Gordon - 5 year drive-by; proposal for a public artwork.

Museum - Katharina Fritsch

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
#
Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W10263
18.06.2014
Blue Spiral - Miklos Legrady
WWW
An urban transformation painting the smokestacks of downtown Toronto. ...
An urban transformation painting the smokestacks of downtown Toronto. ...
W4052
22.05.2011
prayer cards - leo Morrissey
WWW
It is a tradition at Catholic funerals to give out prayer cards as a remembrance of the deceased. Over a number of years I have photographed many of these cards. For this project I will install a selection of photos of prayer cards ( the number determin ...
It is a tradition at Catholic funerals to give out prayer cards as a remembrance of the deceased. Over a number of years I have photographed many of these cards. For this project I will install a selection of photos of prayer cards ( the number determin ...
U9945
01.01.1994
MAK - Wien  - Rosemarie Trockel
Unbuilt Roads
Idee: linke Autospur de [unleserlich] durch dis [?]halle (Saal) verlege[?]. ...
Idee: linke Autospur de [unleserlich] durch dis [?]halle (Saal) verlege[?]. ...
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 ...
W4738
26.05.2011
Boxing Meese - Nadja Verena Marcin
WWW
Boxing Meese _ Nadja Verena Marcin _ 2006 This poster with the written information, see below, was papered all over the Auguststrasse in Berlin-Mitte in 2006. Du bist angeklagt! Du hast Herrn Blum beleidigt! Herr Blum ist unschuldig!... Gesicht zeige ...
Boxing Meese _ Nadja Verena Marcin _ 2006 This poster with the written information, see below, was papered all over the Auguststrasse in Berlin-Mitte in 2006. Du bist angeklagt! Du hast Herrn Blum beleidigt! Herr Blum ist unschuldig!... Gesicht zeige ...
W3997
21.05.2011
Survival is a Crime - Jana Leo De Blas
WWW
S.I.C. "Survival is a Crime" is a picture sequence that draws a trajectory through an apartment building, the staircase, the hallways, the inside of the apartment, the furniture, some objects, a comforter, and inside the inhabitant, a woman. The total ...
S.I.C. "Survival is a Crime" is a picture sequence that draws a trajectory through an apartment building, the staircase, the hallways, the inside of the apartment, the furniture, some objects, a comforter, and inside the inhabitant, a woman. The total ...
W4007
22.05.2011
BEGGARS' BANQUET - Alessandro Rolandi
WWW
A group of 8-10 performance artists dressed as beggars and actually experience for several days the experience of begging in the street. A gallery sets up a show for a new cutting edge unknown artist, whose work consists into hanging to the walls forms o ...
A group of 8-10 performance artists dressed as beggars and actually experience for several days the experience of begging in the street. A gallery sets up a show for a new cutting edge unknown artist, whose work consists into hanging to the walls forms o ...
W4209
24.05.2011
Monumentti Kutsunta - Will Foster
WWW
Monumentti Kutsunta. Monument Conscription. 2003, Helsinki. Call a draft for individuals to become public Monuments for one hour. The underline concept can be seen in ‘One & Other’ a work later realised by Antony Gormley on the fourth plinth. ...
Monumentti Kutsunta. Monument Conscription. 2003, Helsinki. Call a draft for individuals to become public Monuments for one hour. The underline concept can be seen in ‘One & Other’ a work later realised by Antony Gormley on the fourth plinth. ...
W4516
25.05.2011
Viktor Timofeev
WWW
In this painting I have "created" a triumphal arch constructed out of 13 worker-housing units, stacked precariously and defying the laws of physics. While this village/monument is rendered to appear structurally sound, its context is most certainly utopia ...
In this painting I have "created" a triumphal arch constructed out of 13 worker-housing units, stacked precariously and defying the laws of physics. While this village/monument is rendered to appear structurally sound, its context is most certainly utopia ...
W3683
16.05.2011
Mumfordshire - A Megalopolis - Bruce Asbestos
WWW
Mumfordshire is unrealised plan for a megalopolis (a series of interconnected urban areas), which seeks to re-imagine a complex but positive future of mega-cities and society. Mumfordshire is partly based on revising Lewis Mumford’s idea that the Roman ...
Mumfordshire is unrealised plan for a megalopolis (a series of interconnected urban areas), which seeks to re-imagine a complex but positive future of mega-cities and society. Mumfordshire is partly based on revising Lewis Mumford’s idea that the Roman ...
W4340
24.05.2011
Violin making; the neck or ‘chiver’ of the saxophone made of porcelain; will ceramic sound different? - Cristina Cambiganu
WWW
Violin making; the neck or ‘chiver’ of the saxophone made of porcelain; will ceramic sound different? The idea, which has been in my drawer of dreams for over 10 years, intend to insert a graft on the saxophone. Precisely, the project intended to r ...
Violin making; the neck or ‘chiver’ of the saxophone made of porcelain; will ceramic sound different? The idea, which has been in my drawer of dreams for over 10 years, intend to insert a graft on the saxophone. Precisely, the project intended to r ...
W4678
26.05.2011
Two Propositions for Participation and One Prognostication  - Mel Chin
WWW
Two Propositions for Participation and One Prognostication (One Page of) Preparatory Notes: Ask the least, so the most can be included. As a scriptor, conceive parts the performers (the participants) can easily follow yet allow them to understand how th ...
Two Propositions for Participation and One Prognostication (One Page of) Preparatory Notes: Ask the least, so the most can be included. As a scriptor, conceive parts the performers (the participants) can easily follow yet allow them to understand how th ...
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 ...
W5457
20.10.2012
BUILDING DRAWING V: “LOST” (A Porcelain Landscape Room) - Ann Daly
WWW
Ann Daly adaly@aya.yale.edu BUILDING DRAWING V: “LOST” (A Porcelain Landscape Room) Part of a larger project "Looking for the Labyrinth: Re-collecting Versailles". Cast white porcelain, sculptural walls, total size approximately 16 feet x 12 ...
Ann Daly adaly@aya.yale.edu BUILDING DRAWING V: “LOST” (A Porcelain Landscape Room) Part of a larger project "Looking for the Labyrinth: Re-collecting Versailles". Cast white porcelain, sculptural walls, total size approximately 16 feet x 12 ...
W4373
25.05.2011
Thomas Friel
WWW
"Potential Artworks to be Completed by You, the Viewer." A list of potential artworks that can be performed by anyone, one or many times, for an indefinite number of times. They are intended to offer an individual aesthetic experience to the performer. ...
"Potential Artworks to be Completed by You, the Viewer." A list of potential artworks that can be performed by anyone, one or many times, for an indefinite number of times. They are intended to offer an individual aesthetic experience to the performer. ...
W5283
15.10.2012
FORTIFICATION PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR GERMAN PAVILION - Hakan Topal
WWW
A FORTIFICATION PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR GERMAN PAVILION, VENICE by Hakan Topal, 2009 In the beginning of February of 2009, I proposed a project to Liam Gillick to be realized at the periphery of the German Pavilion in Venice's Giardini. I had no intention to ...
A FORTIFICATION PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR GERMAN PAVILION, VENICE by Hakan Topal, 2009 In the beginning of February of 2009, I proposed a project to Liam Gillick to be realized at the periphery of the German Pavilion in Venice's Giardini. I had no intention to ...
W5391
20.10.2012
PRESIDENT OBAMA SPEECH ON THE DEATH OF OSAMA BIN LADEN STRETCHED TO THE DURATION OF 3520 DAYS  - Moritz Fingerhut
WWW
Title: PRESIDENT OBAMA SPEECH ON THE DEATH OF OSAMA BIN LADEN STRETCHED TO THE DURATION OF 3520 DAYS (audio work) Description: The speech from President Obama, given on May 1st 2011 (see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNYmK19‐d0U ) is 9:28 min ...
Title: PRESIDENT OBAMA SPEECH ON THE DEATH OF OSAMA BIN LADEN STRETCHED TO THE DURATION OF 3520 DAYS (audio work) Description: The speech from President Obama, given on May 1st 2011 (see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNYmK19‐d0U ) is 9:28 min ...
U9858
01.01.1995
"400" - Manfred Pernice
Unbuilt Roads
1995-96 Weile bestand ein Zusammenhang. eng. [unleserlich] ihn nicht gesucht. Möglichkeiten nahm er nicht wahr. Das Sockel (1) ergibt 11-fach vervielfältigt, Modell einer grosser Wohn- und Geschäftsanlag; [M?]aßtab 1:100, welches im Ausstellung ...
1995-96 Weile bestand ein Zusammenhang. eng. [unleserlich] ihn nicht gesucht. Möglichkeiten nahm er nicht wahr. Das Sockel (1) ergibt 11-fach vervielfältigt, Modell einer grosser Wohn- und Geschäftsanlag; [M?]aßtab 1:100, welches im Ausstellung ...
W4761
27.05.2011
24-Hour Kaprow - Richard Smolinski
WWW
"24-Hour Kaprow" was envisioned as a performance video where Kaprow’s collected works would be re-presented through a 24 hour long video. RICHard SMOLinski’s unrealized project, 24-Hour Kaprow 24-Hour Kaprow was envisioned as a performance vide ...
"24-Hour Kaprow" was envisioned as a performance video where Kaprow’s collected works would be re-presented through a 24 hour long video. RICHard SMOLinski’s unrealized project, 24-Hour Kaprow 24-Hour Kaprow was envisioned as a performance vide ...
W4602
25.05.2011
Alexander Vaindorf
WWW
"In the Shadow of the Monument" 2009 PROPOSAL # 2 Images from the solo exhibition at Art Center Gävle, Sweden. And a temporary public monument "In the shadow of the double" in City Hall Courtyard in the city of Gävle, Sweden. more info http://a ...
"In the Shadow of the Monument" 2009 PROPOSAL # 2 Images from the solo exhibition at Art Center Gävle, Sweden. And a temporary public monument "In the shadow of the double" in City Hall Courtyard in the city of Gävle, Sweden. more info http://a ...
W3856
19.05.2011
THE SISTER COMPLEX - Jacob Stewart-Halevy
WWW
The Sister Complex is a film script written for captive audiences on Virgin America flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The forty minute length of the film is meant to correspond to the amount of time a traveler would have to watch their personal s ...
The Sister Complex is a film script written for captive audiences on Virgin America flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The forty minute length of the film is meant to correspond to the amount of time a traveler would have to watch their personal s ...
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 ...
W3776
18.05.2011
The Game - Thea Lanzisero
WWW
Socrates Sculpture Park Proposal 2009 “The Game” Observation on the use of a rural, renewable plant media within an urban industrial setting I am curious as to the various adaptations and boundaries of bamboo. ...
Socrates Sculpture Park Proposal 2009 “The Game” Observation on the use of a rural, renewable plant media within an urban industrial setting I am curious as to the various adaptations and boundaries of bamboo. ...
W4025
22.05.2011
Guardians of Art  - Holly Crawford
WWW
Proposal: Inside Standing/Conversations with the Guardians of Art Proposed to the Tate Modern, sent to Ben B. I meet and discussed this and screening of Critical Conversations in a Limo. Guardians of Art Museum guards are the human face ...
Proposal: Inside Standing/Conversations with the Guardians of Art Proposed to the Tate Modern, sent to Ben B. I meet and discussed this and screening of Critical Conversations in a Limo. Guardians of Art Museum guards are the human face ...
W4457
25.05.2011
Bamboo Treehouse Project summary  - Suwan Laimanee
WWW
Bamboo Treehouse Project summary Bamboo Treehouse is a site-specific performance intended to provide an inspirational example of sustainable living to both the local and global population alike. The project is an ongoing interactive experiment, explorin ...
Bamboo Treehouse Project summary Bamboo Treehouse is a site-specific performance intended to provide an inspirational example of sustainable living to both the local and global population alike. The project is an ongoing interactive experiment, explorin ...
W10709
05.09.2014
Terminator – Final proposal to the Jerwood Foundation 2008 - Jonathan Parsons
WWW
This proposal was made following the Foundation’s invitation to produce this work. Unfortunately the project was eventually halted due to a lack of funds. Introduction Making Terminator into a substantial, powerful artwork necessitates a development ...
This proposal was made following the Foundation’s invitation to produce this work. Unfortunately the project was eventually halted due to a lack of funds. Introduction Making Terminator into a substantial, powerful artwork necessitates a development ...