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.

Engel-Detektor - Jakob Gautel & Jason Karaïndros

Tower Cranes, Paris  - Tadashi Kawamata

Catwalk - Sylive Fleury

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

den anonymen Tod ausstellen - Gregor Schneider

Der New-Babyloner - Constant

The insurer - Fabrice Hybert

WATERWORKS - Mona Hatoum

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

Monumento all'agricoltura 1969-70 - Alighiero Boetti

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4057
23.05.2011
Escape Vine - Mark Shoffner and Rebecca Herman
WWW
“Escape Vine” was a proposal for an evolving sculptural work of live vines. The vines would grow up ladder-shaped wire trellises on either side of massive, 30-foot-high prison walls. ...
“Escape Vine” was a proposal for an evolving sculptural work of live vines. The vines would grow up ladder-shaped wire trellises on either side of massive, 30-foot-high prison walls. ...
W3873
19.05.2011
CHINATOWN RUN - Derek Michael Besant
WWW
Project: CHINATOWN RUN Client: City of Calgary Development Dept. / Canada Date: 2010 Retrofit of elements into existing Centre Street Chinatown District of Calgary Alberta Canada. The idea was to enhance the 3 blocks along Centre Street with t ...
Project: CHINATOWN RUN Client: City of Calgary Development Dept. / Canada Date: 2010 Retrofit of elements into existing Centre Street Chinatown District of Calgary Alberta Canada. The idea was to enhance the 3 blocks along Centre Street with t ...
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 ...
U9303
01.06.1990
PROPOSAL FOR SEATTLE ARTS COMMISSION, IN PUBLIC - Chris Burden
Unbuilt Roads
I propose that a typical working fisherman's boat 30 to 50 feet in length be attached to the side of the new Seattle Art Museum building. The boat's bow would point skyward, it's keel resting along one side of the building . A cable from the roof to the b ...
I propose that a typical working fisherman's boat 30 to 50 feet in length be attached to the side of the new Seattle Art Museum building. The boat's bow would point skyward, it's keel resting along one side of the building . A cable from the roof to the b ...
W3645
15.05.2011
Provincetown, Cape Cod, MA USA. 2006 - Jay Critchley
WWW
Provincetown, Cape Cod, MA USA. 2006 Martucket Eyeland Resort & Theme Park Following on the heels of the controversial industrial wind farm proposed for Nantucket Sound, a dramatic “third eyeland” resort and theme park has been proposed for the ...
Provincetown, Cape Cod, MA USA. 2006 Martucket Eyeland Resort & Theme Park Following on the heels of the controversial industrial wind farm proposed for Nantucket Sound, a dramatic “third eyeland” resort and theme park has been proposed for the ...
W3670
15.05.2011
Kay Swiss
WWW
This work was proposed for a group show I was slated to be in at a university art gallery which will remain unnamed. Ultimately this work was not allowed to be installed in this form because the gallery directors were concerned the work might offend guest ...
This work was proposed for a group show I was slated to be in at a university art gallery which will remain unnamed. Ultimately this work was not allowed to be installed in this form because the gallery directors were concerned the work might offend guest ...
W4688
26.05.2011
Kim Cook
WWW
Inspired by the sinking Carteret Islands, the Island Flotation Device responds to the changing environment by raising islands with the sea level. The IFD places inhabitants in control of the water level. A simple design allows them to control the amount o ...
Inspired by the sinking Carteret Islands, the Island Flotation Device responds to the changing environment by raising islands with the sea level. The IFD places inhabitants in control of the water level. A simple design allows them to control the amount o ...
W4078
23.05.2011
Infinity and Tipi - Kasia Ozga
WWW
2 site-specific environmental art proposals in wicker: Infinity and Tipi I am proposing two different projects for and international residency in 2010. The first piece, entitled Infinity, will be a permanent work installed and braided on site by loc ...
2 site-specific environmental art proposals in wicker: Infinity and Tipi I am proposing two different projects for and international residency in 2010. The first piece, entitled Infinity, will be a permanent work installed and braided on site by loc ...
W3874
19.05.2011
BIGSKY: nternational Airport Art Commission CANADA - Derek Michael Besant
WWW
Project: BIGSKY Client: Calgary International Airport / Canada Date: 2003 Gridded glass wall treatment of International Arrivals Wing Suspended edge-lit glass panels with sandblasted cloud information in three layers; where they majority of th ...
Project: BIGSKY Client: Calgary International Airport / Canada Date: 2003 Gridded glass wall treatment of International Arrivals Wing Suspended edge-lit glass panels with sandblasted cloud information in three layers; where they majority of th ...
W3619
14.05.2011
Golnar Adili
WWW
A conversation I had years ago with my late father’s friend about the overwhelming energy with which they fought the Shah of Iran has fuled my desire to do a project on my father's life. Elated by the memories, the friend said, "we felt like we were cha ...
A conversation I had years ago with my late father’s friend about the overwhelming energy with which they fought the Shah of Iran has fuled my desire to do a project on my father's life. Elated by the memories, the friend said, "we felt like we were cha ...
U9963
01.01.1994
Ruderaltisch, 1994/95 Kunst am Bau - Projekt - Lois Weinberger
Unbuilt Roads
Die Arbeit besteht aus einem Betontisch im Freien / auf dem erdgefüllte / allgegenwärtige Behälter / wie entleerte Öldosen / leere Farbkübel / „unverwüstliche Plastiksäcke" stehen. Eine Bepflanzung wird nicht vorgenommen / da die im Freiland ...
Die Arbeit besteht aus einem Betontisch im Freien / auf dem erdgefüllte / allgegenwärtige Behälter / wie entleerte Öldosen / leere Farbkübel / „unverwüstliche Plastiksäcke" stehen. Eine Bepflanzung wird nicht vorgenommen / da die im Freiland ...
W4642
25.05.2011
WHEN YOU CUT INTO THE PRESENT THE FUTURE LEAKS OUT (PRODUCTION OF SPACE) - ELENA BAJO
WWW
WHEN YOU CUT INTO THE PRESENT THE FUTURE LEAKS OUT (PRODUCTION OF SPACE) “The form of social space is encounter, assembly, simultaneity; social space implies actual or potential assembly at a single point or around that point.” - Henri Lefebvre, from ...
WHEN YOU CUT INTO THE PRESENT THE FUTURE LEAKS OUT (PRODUCTION OF SPACE) “The form of social space is encounter, assembly, simultaneity; social space implies actual or potential assembly at a single point or around that point.” - Henri Lefebvre, from ...
W3654
15.05.2011
nigal goodship
WWW
They say, art no longer produces beauty, she produces meaning. I say, one cannot paint a picture or make an image of a woman and not deal with the concept of beauty. Marlene Dumas Assignment 5fp001 Contemporary photographic practice, The Venus project ...
They say, art no longer produces beauty, she produces meaning. I say, one cannot paint a picture or make an image of a woman and not deal with the concept of beauty. Marlene Dumas Assignment 5fp001 Contemporary photographic practice, The Venus project ...
W4208
24.05.2011
One-way toilet - Will Foster
WWW
One-way toilet. Shitting in the street. 2001 A toilet for public use is sited in an inner city location. The walls of the toilet are made entirely from Pellicle mirror glass, which is partially reflective and partially transparent. ...
One-way toilet. Shitting in the street. 2001 A toilet for public use is sited in an inner city location. The walls of the toilet are made entirely from Pellicle mirror glass, which is partially reflective and partially transparent. ...
W3634
14.05.2011
Centre Pompidou Mobile - Berger&Berger
WWW
Centre Pompidou Mobile

 Berger&Berger (Laurent P. Berger & Cyrille Berger) with T. Raynaud

 2009 Restricted competition

 1800 m²

Mobile art museum 

CNAC GEORGES-POMPIDOU, France

 Structural Engineer : Bollinger + Gro ...
Centre Pompidou Mobile

 Berger&Berger (Laurent P. Berger & Cyrille Berger) with T. Raynaud

 2009 Restricted competition

 1800 m²

Mobile art museum 

CNAC GEORGES-POMPIDOU, France

 Structural Engineer : Bollinger + Gro ...
W4251
24.05.2011
AFTER TILTED ARC - Kristin Jones / Andrew Ginzel
WWW
KRISTIN JONES / ANDREW GINZEL AFTER TILTED ARC, 1985 Proposal for Alternative to Existing Federal Plaza, Storefront for Art and Architecture, New York City. Dimensions: 55' H x 20' W x 85' D (1676 H x 610 W x 2591 D cm.) Elements: Water ...
KRISTIN JONES / ANDREW GINZEL AFTER TILTED ARC, 1985 Proposal for Alternative to Existing Federal Plaza, Storefront for Art and Architecture, New York City. Dimensions: 55' H x 20' W x 85' D (1676 H x 610 W x 2591 D cm.) Elements: Water ...
W4180
24.05.2011
Legge Lewis Legge, (LLL) - Legge Lewis Legge
WWW
Legge Lewis Legge, (LLL) is a public art and architecture studio based in New York and Texas operated by architect Murray Legge AIA and filmmaker Deborah E. Lewis, both in Austin, and artist Andrea Legge in New York City. Since 2001, LLL has produced a wi ...
Legge Lewis Legge, (LLL) is a public art and architecture studio based in New York and Texas operated by architect Murray Legge AIA and filmmaker Deborah E. Lewis, both in Austin, and artist Andrea Legge in New York City. Since 2001, LLL has produced a wi ...
W3971
21.05.2011
Unrealized Public Art Projects - Silvia Martí Marí (Spain)
WWW
Public Art Projects The Listener P.L.S. (“Public Listening Services –mobile unit-”). (“El escuchador. S. M. E. (Servicio Municipal Escuchador -unidad móvil-”). A public art project to provide a public and free mobile service -in the stre ...
Public Art Projects The Listener P.L.S. (“Public Listening Services –mobile unit-”). (“El escuchador. S. M. E. (Servicio Municipal Escuchador -unidad móvil-”). A public art project to provide a public and free mobile service -in the stre ...
W4303
24.05.2011
George Bataille on the LA Freeway: The Public Art Work of Luther Thie - Luther Thie
WWW
George Bataille on the LA Freeway: The Public Art Work of Luther Thie By Frederick Young What immediately strikes one about Luther Thie’s LA Interchange is the scope and magnitude of the project, a real-time memorial to automobile crash victims ...
George Bataille on the LA Freeway: The Public Art Work of Luther Thie By Frederick Young What immediately strikes one about Luther Thie’s LA Interchange is the scope and magnitude of the project, a real-time memorial to automobile crash victims ...
W3499
11.05.2011
Wind Chamber - Duarte da Encarnação
WWW
wind chamber This project consists of designing an “architectural sculpture” of an active capsule intended for temporary public interventions, pragmatic and strictly related to the development of the action and participation in the public sphere. T ...
wind chamber This project consists of designing an “architectural sculpture” of an active capsule intended for temporary public interventions, pragmatic and strictly related to the development of the action and participation in the public sphere. T ...
W5170
26.09.2012
Jessica Li
WWW
An online database of all the words I know and all the words I think I know along with their respective pronunciations, definitions, and usages. This collection would house all words in all the languages I think I know and be organized by the chronologica ...
An online database of all the words I know and all the words I think I know along with their respective pronunciations, definitions, and usages. This collection would house all words in all the languages I think I know and be organized by the chronologica ...
W5099
13.09.2012
Seal of Salomon - Copa & Sordes
WWW
another idea for an ornament in public space See PDF ...
another idea for an ornament in public space See PDF ...
W3552
12.05.2011
THE SECOND LIFE MARTYRS SHOW! - margherita isola
WWW
Thanks an experience of life at the Freedom Theatre of Jenin with the kids of the refugee camp, I decide to start this project about Palestinian people and their martyrs. The Second Life martyrs show!is an alternative utopia to the violence that people ...
Thanks an experience of life at the Freedom Theatre of Jenin with the kids of the refugee camp, I decide to start this project about Palestinian people and their martyrs. The Second Life martyrs show!is an alternative utopia to the violence that people ...
W4792
13.06.2011
No Flag Long Enough - Santiago Pinyol
WWW
NO FLAG LONG ENOUGH Flags are not meant to touch the floor, everybody knows that. Flags are meant to be weaved, to be watched, to preside. The intervention proposed to bring the flags down from their vertical order into the horizontal one, connecti ...
NO FLAG LONG ENOUGH Flags are not meant to touch the floor, everybody knows that. Flags are meant to be weaved, to be watched, to preside. The intervention proposed to bring the flags down from their vertical order into the horizontal one, connecti ...
W5112
16.09.2012
The Cactus Room - Javier Tapia
WWW
THE CAUCUS ROOM Project proposal for OVERGADEN By Javier Tapia The authentic moment of discovery, the breakthrough, occurs when a properly universal dimension explodes from within a particular context and becomes “for itself”, and is directly ex ...
THE CAUCUS ROOM Project proposal for OVERGADEN By Javier Tapia The authentic moment of discovery, the breakthrough, occurs when a properly universal dimension explodes from within a particular context and becomes “for itself”, and is directly ex ...
W4584
25.05.2011
Antroepiphytic - Laboratorio 060 & Héctor Zamora
WWW
Héctor Zamora’s (www.lsd.com.mx) project "Antroepiphytic" consists of the building of a walkable tower around an immense tree called “Ceiba de Oro” (a ceiba being a tree typical of tropical regions and a sacred plant to the Mayas), a natural monume ...
Héctor Zamora’s (www.lsd.com.mx) project "Antroepiphytic" consists of the building of a walkable tower around an immense tree called “Ceiba de Oro” (a ceiba being a tree typical of tropical regions and a sacred plant to the Mayas), a natural monume ...