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.

Notebook Page: Home in the Form of a Banana with Garage,  - Claes Oldenburg

Isometric Projection - Sol Lewitt

Ceinture - Huang Ping Yong

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

CIVITAS Stadtpostkarten - Lothar Baumgarten

Visual Poem: Cap I Cua - Joan Brossa

"Free Space" - Michelangelo Pistoletto

PROPOSAL FOR SEATTLE ARTS COMMISSION, IN PUBLIC - Chris Burden

Time Magazine Cover - Robert Rauschenberg

Nicht realisierte Projekte - Stefan Demary

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
D10808
01.01.2003
The House of Language - Bethan Huws
DAAD
To print this phrase on a relatively large number of (bird) nest boxes – the German concrete cylinder type which are not analogous to human houses, unlike their French and British counterparts – and then to install these in an area of a forest that do ...
To print this phrase on a relatively large number of (bird) nest boxes – the German concrete cylinder type which are not analogous to human houses, unlike their French and British counterparts – and then to install these in an area of a forest that do ...
W4425
25.05.2011
Retrospection of Rejection: - Brianne Mackinnon
WWW
Retrospection of Rejection: A collaborative competition with fellow Brisbane artist, Anastasia Booth. Each artist apply's for as many exhibition opportunities as possible - collecting and archiving only the rejection responses to proposals. These document ...
Retrospection of Rejection: A collaborative competition with fellow Brisbane artist, Anastasia Booth. Each artist apply's for as many exhibition opportunities as possible - collecting and archiving only the rejection responses to proposals. These document ...
W5344
18.10.2012
Lito Kattou & Leontios Toumpouris
WWW
The artist in his effort to acquire conscience of his identity addresses to the Other. The elliptic dimension of the Other does not induce the desired result, the fulfillment, the coverage of the void. He becomes aware of his inability to realize this des ...
The artist in his effort to acquire conscience of his identity addresses to the Other. The elliptic dimension of the Other does not induce the desired result, the fulfillment, the coverage of the void. He becomes aware of his inability to realize this des ...
D10802
01.01.1995
The museum as sleeping quarters for a man of the street - Danilo Duenas
DAAD
Adorned* with 5 very tall constructive paintings made of “formaletas”* and tape and 11 smaller paintings on canvas with two colors installed in the exhibition hall of the “Museo Nacional” in Bogotá (a former 19th century panopticon), I had imagin ...
Adorned* with 5 very tall constructive paintings made of “formaletas”* and tape and 11 smaller paintings on canvas with two colors installed in the exhibition hall of the “Museo Nacional” in Bogotá (a former 19th century panopticon), I had imagin ...
W10554
04.06.2014
Green Soundscape // Audio collage - Reference to the Arab revolution - Youssef Tabti
WWW
I. Collect recording in North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt) The project addresses the idea of Arabic cities landscape from an auditory perspective. I would like to collect a various audio sources on location to recreate a complex and subje ...
I. Collect recording in North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt) The project addresses the idea of Arabic cities landscape from an auditory perspective. I would like to collect a various audio sources on location to recreate a complex and subje ...
W4866
09.08.2012
The Rat Gallery - Aasa Ersmark
WWW
Rat Gallery I would like to propose an art show specially designed for wild city rats. The Rat Gallery is installed under the floor of an appropriate space in a big city . For the opening party of the show , the rats get to enjoy con temporary art and th ...
Rat Gallery I would like to propose an art show specially designed for wild city rats. The Rat Gallery is installed under the floor of an appropriate space in a big city . For the opening party of the show , the rats get to enjoy con temporary art and th ...
W4046
22.05.2011
hold / collapse - Joe Dal Pra
WWW
Joe Dal Pra Installation Project: Title: hold / collapse Description: intertwining of linear structures into curving form. Structures are holding silhouettes of figures, planes, and parts. Materials: wood and steel. Size: variable dimensions ...
Joe Dal Pra Installation Project: Title: hold / collapse Description: intertwining of linear structures into curving form. Structures are holding silhouettes of figures, planes, and parts. Materials: wood and steel. Size: variable dimensions ...
W4623
25.05.2011
Economic Express or Mobility Express Project  - reaction-lalou
WWW
Economic Express or Mobility Express Project Form: Cross-discipline Mediums: Sculpture, Performance, Installations, Film Artist-Author: reaction-lalou Exhibited: Technopolis-Industrial Museum of Athens-Greece-6th Video Art Festival 2010 Maktab Anbar Mus ...
Economic Express or Mobility Express Project Form: Cross-discipline Mediums: Sculpture, Performance, Installations, Film Artist-Author: reaction-lalou Exhibited: Technopolis-Industrial Museum of Athens-Greece-6th Video Art Festival 2010 Maktab Anbar Mus ...
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 ...
W5432
20.10.2012
Sheli Lehadpasa (Mine for printing) - Tamar Lederberg
WWW
Sheli Lehadpasa (Mine for printing) Art constitutes a tool for contending with difficult psychological situations. A situation of loss and pain generates creative forces. An illness triggered fervent creativity in my mother. The trauma following her il ...
Sheli Lehadpasa (Mine for printing) Art constitutes a tool for contending with difficult psychological situations. A situation of loss and pain generates creative forces. An illness triggered fervent creativity in my mother. The trauma following her il ...
W4670
26.05.2011
Translating Missed Time  - April Lamm and Franz Stauffenberg
WWW
Translating Missed Time In Rococo England, 1751, the British usurped its citizens of 11 days. That is, September 3 became September 14th with the wave of a parliamentary wand. Riots ensued, placards were held high in the streets proclaiming “Give u ...
Translating Missed Time In Rococo England, 1751, the British usurped its citizens of 11 days. That is, September 3 became September 14th with the wave of a parliamentary wand. Riots ensued, placards were held high in the streets proclaiming “Give u ...
W4166
24.05.2011
heaven and hell box - jonathan paul gillette
WWW
heaven and hell box the heaven and hell box is a three chamber room. the viewer enters the front space through a centered pvc curtain and then chooses to enter the right or left space via two side orientated pvc curtains. the left space is climate cont ...
heaven and hell box the heaven and hell box is a three chamber room. the viewer enters the front space through a centered pvc curtain and then chooses to enter the right or left space via two side orientated pvc curtains. the left space is climate cont ...
W3676
15.05.2011
THE DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS, ESQ., F.R.S. FROM 1659 TO 1669 WITH MEMOIR - Press this (The Rsnn Show)
WWW
PREFACE TO THE PRESENT EDITION. The Celebrated work here presented to the public under peculiar advantages may require a few introductory remarks. By the publication, during the last half century, of autobiographies, Diaries, and Records of Personal ...
PREFACE TO THE PRESENT EDITION. The Celebrated work here presented to the public under peculiar advantages may require a few introductory remarks. By the publication, during the last half century, of autobiographies, Diaries, and Records of Personal ...
W5076
05.09.2012
Sometimes I'm wrong - Teodoro Lupo
WWW
I was a male adolescent with a psychotherapist as a father. That lead to some conflicts. One of my favourite arguments that I can remember was: if you help a wicked person achieve a qualitative leap, does he become more or less bad? Which is the ladder yo ...
I was a male adolescent with a psychotherapist as a father. That lead to some conflicts. One of my favourite arguments that I can remember was: if you help a wicked person achieve a qualitative leap, does he become more or less bad? Which is the ladder yo ...
W3667
15.05.2011
Breathing (1988) - Joanna Frueh
WWW
This piece is an unpresented performance. Breathing (1988) A Proposal for a Performance by Joanna Frueh and Russell Dudley Written by Joanna Frueh A restaurant table for two, with one chair on either side, sits center stage. A vase holding a large ...
This piece is an unpresented performance. Breathing (1988) A Proposal for a Performance by Joanna Frueh and Russell Dudley Written by Joanna Frueh A restaurant table for two, with one chair on either side, sits center stage. A vase holding a large ...
W4390
25.05.2011
Isabelle Desjeux
WWW
The project was to collect failed projects from scientists. It consisted of me interviewing scientists about anything that hadn't worked or couldn't get published, couldn't get used... I thought I would make a book from each of the scientists' story... ...
The project was to collect failed projects from scientists. It consisted of me interviewing scientists about anything that hadn't worked or couldn't get published, couldn't get used... I thought I would make a book from each of the scientists' story... ...
W4560
25.05.2011
The Reentry Project: Artificial Meteor Storms as Public Art  - Bill Dolson
WWW
Bill Dolson The Reentry Project: Artificial Meteor Storms as Public Art "Why is there no art in space, why do we have no exhibitions in the sky? Up to now we have left it up to war to light up the sky..." Otto Piene 1961 Reentry is a series of p ...
Bill Dolson The Reentry Project: Artificial Meteor Storms as Public Art "Why is there no art in space, why do we have no exhibitions in the sky? Up to now we have left it up to war to light up the sky..." Otto Piene 1961 Reentry is a series of p ...
W4849
08.08.2012
Excavation  - Mario Asef
WWW
Mario Asef EXCAVATION Unrealized project for the exhibition “Architecture” in Küntlerhaus Bregenz – Austria / 2008 //////////////////////////////////////// ...
Mario Asef EXCAVATION Unrealized project for the exhibition “Architecture” in Küntlerhaus Bregenz – Austria / 2008 //////////////////////////////////////// ...
W4238
24.05.2011
'HANOI DUCKS' - Dao Anh Khanh & Tamas Jovanovics
WWW
Dao Anh Khanh & Tamas Jovanovics 'HANOI DUCKS' (work title) PUBLIC ART PROJECT - in order to seek general awareness for ecological topics in Hanoi/Vietnam Project status: seeking for fundings Background of the project: After a long period of po ...
Dao Anh Khanh & Tamas Jovanovics 'HANOI DUCKS' (work title) PUBLIC ART PROJECT - in order to seek general awareness for ecological topics in Hanoi/Vietnam Project status: seeking for fundings Background of the project: After a long period of po ...
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 ...
W4426
25.05.2011
The Unicorn Lake - Yona Friedman
WWW
The Unicorn Lake Project for the lake of sculptures of Vassivière island, France July 2009 On the lake of Vassivière After creating in 2009, in the framework of the exhibition Etc. Balkis Island, The Vassivière Unicorn ("Unicorn Eiffel"), a sculp ...
The Unicorn Lake Project for the lake of sculptures of Vassivière island, France July 2009 On the lake of Vassivière After creating in 2009, in the framework of the exhibition Etc. Balkis Island, The Vassivière Unicorn ("Unicorn Eiffel"), a sculp ...
W4888
10.08.2012
Replay - Warren Neidich
WWW
Replay Introduction: The word Replay takes its name from the phenomena usually associated with sporting events, for instance football matches, in which a replay of a fabulous and exciting goal is projected upon a large digital screen in full view of ...
Replay Introduction: The word Replay takes its name from the phenomena usually associated with sporting events, for instance football matches, in which a replay of a fabulous and exciting goal is projected upon a large digital screen in full view of ...
W4555
25.05.2011
UNTITED (WOVEN PORTICO) - Nicolas Feldmeyer
WWW
UNTITED (WOVEN PORTICO) Project for a site-specific installation, UCL Wilkins Building, London White fabric sheets, interwoven with the existing columns, give the portico of UCL’s Wilkins Building a temporary new monumentality. The space contained w ...
UNTITED (WOVEN PORTICO) Project for a site-specific installation, UCL Wilkins Building, London White fabric sheets, interwoven with the existing columns, give the portico of UCL’s Wilkins Building a temporary new monumentality. The space contained w ...
W5138
21.09.2012
Good Vibrations - Carlo Crovato
WWW
To illuminate the dark space beneath hoch-bahn bridges using Off the Grid techniques. Project title Good Vibrations. there will be moving illumination on underside of U-Bahn bridges as train passes overhead. 1 17 June 2011 Carlo Crovato Berli ...
To illuminate the dark space beneath hoch-bahn bridges using Off the Grid techniques. Project title Good Vibrations. there will be moving illumination on underside of U-Bahn bridges as train passes overhead. 1 17 June 2011 Carlo Crovato Berli ...
W4396
25.05.2011
The Oyster Delusion - Sean Rafferty
WWW
The Oyster Delusion - a series of recent unrealised projects alongside page 99 of Voss, the 1957 novel by Patrick White. 2010. Large work: graphite on paper in aluminium window-frame. All other works: inkjet prints on archival paper in IKEA frames. Vos ...
The Oyster Delusion - a series of recent unrealised projects alongside page 99 of Voss, the 1957 novel by Patrick White. 2010. Large work: graphite on paper in aluminium window-frame. All other works: inkjet prints on archival paper in IKEA frames. Vos ...
W3854
19.05.2011
Yu-Hang Huang
WWW
I am always interested in “Transitional” or “In Between” -a process of transformation. I believe that the transitional state is one kind of human conditions that we all have to face sometime in our live. ...
I am always interested in “Transitional” or “In Between” -a process of transformation. I believe that the transitional state is one kind of human conditions that we all have to face sometime in our live. ...