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 for the Initiative Mahnmal Homosexuellenverfolgung, Frankfurt  - Jeff Wall

2 Architecture Towers - Robert Irwin

PROPOSAL FOR SEATTLE ARTS COMMISSION, IN PUBLIC - Chris Burden

<A Public Misery Message> - Critical Art Ensemble

Fax Transmission - Raymond Pettibone and Jason Rhoades

Ruderaltisch, 1994/95 Kunst am Bau - Projekt - Lois Weinberger

The Clock - Ayse Erkmen

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

Broadway Musicals - Christian Marclay

PROJEKT - Ulrich Rückreim

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W3827
19.05.2011
Ephemeral - Tomasz Domanski
WWW
I call my "ice actions", consisting in placing objects in principal downtown squares, the Monuments of Time. I find this title appropriately noble, considering in whose honor they are erected. In each case, I seek an adequate form to celebrate time as wel ...
I call my "ice actions", consisting in placing objects in principal downtown squares, the Monuments of Time. I find this title appropriately noble, considering in whose honor they are erected. In each case, I seek an adequate form to celebrate time as wel ...
W4203
24.05.2011
Wendy Shaw
WWW
W4369
25.05.2011
Importance of some Note - Qi.ng
WWW
Importance of some Note 12x8" Digital capture of graphite on 3x3" scrap paper I once had a mentor who would grouse on about the term 'art projects', as though these were something that had a distinct end and finish. The debate would always return to ...
Importance of some Note 12x8" Digital capture of graphite on 3x3" scrap paper I once had a mentor who would grouse on about the term 'art projects', as though these were something that had a distinct end and finish. The debate would always return to ...
W3591
13.05.2011
Museum of Unrealized Projects - Stephen Perkins
WWW
Please find attached a work titled "Museum of Unrealized Projects," (2011). This museum can be utilized as the final resting place of the Agency of Unrealized Projects - this museum charges no entrance fees and accepts donations on an unjuried basis. ...
Please find attached a work titled "Museum of Unrealized Projects," (2011). This museum can be utilized as the final resting place of the Agency of Unrealized Projects - this museum charges no entrance fees and accepts donations on an unjuried basis. ...
W3815
19.05.2011
Bury Me Like This - T. Kelly Mason
WWW
Bury Me Like This A project proposed in 2007 and distributed in the form of a public invitation sent from Adamski, Berlin. The work is to to be executed as soon as possible. The work proposes that, upon the occasion of my death, my clothed body sha ...
Bury Me Like This A project proposed in 2007 and distributed in the form of a public invitation sent from Adamski, Berlin. The work is to to be executed as soon as possible. The work proposes that, upon the occasion of my death, my clothed body sha ...
W4407
25.05.2011
The Great Pyramid - Ingo Niermann
WWW
The Great Pyramid—a gradually growing tomb for potentially every human being in the world. Every stone in this pyramid could house the ashes of a deceased individual. It would grow, layer per layer, over decades and centuries. ...
The Great Pyramid—a gradually growing tomb for potentially every human being in the world. Every stone in this pyramid could house the ashes of a deceased individual. It would grow, layer per layer, over decades and centuries. ...
W4189
24.05.2011
“What It’s Gonna Take“ - Anne Herzblut
WWW
“What It’s Gonna Take“ An installation about death, time and consumption The initial point fort this installation are thoughts about a very common place: about my own death. The question is: HOW MANY things and HOW MUCH I will need until I die ...
“What It’s Gonna Take“ An installation about death, time and consumption The initial point fort this installation are thoughts about a very common place: about my own death. The question is: HOW MANY things and HOW MUCH I will need until I die ...
W4060
23.05.2011
Unrealized Project: Town Square  - Rebecca Herman and Mark Shoffner
WWW
Town Square is comprised of several sculptural elements: a tall, narrow, guillotine‐like structure in wood (without a blade); a series of steps leading up to the guillotine from the back; a basket on the floor in front of the guillotine; and two halves ...
Town Square is comprised of several sculptural elements: a tall, narrow, guillotine‐like structure in wood (without a blade); a series of steps leading up to the guillotine from the back; a basket on the floor in front of the guillotine; and two halves ...
W4971
23.08.2012
Eurasian Gondolas - Eurasian Gondolas
WWW
Eurasian Gondolas Eurasian Gondolas connects Europe and Asia, the East and the West through the world’s longest aerial tramway. In a time of permanent global exchange the transnational network connects more than 30 cities and developing areas in b ...
Eurasian Gondolas Eurasian Gondolas connects Europe and Asia, the East and the West through the world’s longest aerial tramway. In a time of permanent global exchange the transnational network connects more than 30 cities and developing areas in b ...
W5267
13.10.2012
Olga Motchalova
WWW
Здравствуйте! Предлагаю Вам проект (так увиденный мною) для участия в акции «Санаторий искусств». ДАВИДОВА ДЛАНЬ (ПРОИЗВЕДЕНИЕ КАТАРСÐ ...
Здравствуйте! Предлагаю Вам проект (так увиденный мною) для участия в акции «Санаторий искусств». ДАВИДОВА ДЛАНЬ (ПРОИЗВЕДЕНИЕ КАТАРСÐ ...
W5022
31.08.2012
Hotel Libertas - Peter Friedl
WWW
Hotel Libertas, 2003 Peter Friedl Upon invitation from Catherine David, curating an exhibition for the Museum of Modern Art in Dubrovnik, a series of altogether six lectures and presentations took place in 2002/03. In connection with my stay and lec ...
Hotel Libertas, 2003 Peter Friedl Upon invitation from Catherine David, curating an exhibition for the Museum of Modern Art in Dubrovnik, a series of altogether six lectures and presentations took place in 2002/03. In connection with my stay and lec ...
W5142
21.09.2012
The White Box - Vdrey feat Schultz
WWW
PRESENTATION This performance created in 2010 by musician and performer VDREY and SCHULTZ was presented in 2010 and 2011 in various countries such as France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland or Poland. In order to made a new alternative to their perfo ...
PRESENTATION This performance created in 2010 by musician and performer VDREY and SCHULTZ was presented in 2010 and 2011 in various countries such as France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland or Poland. In order to made a new alternative to their perfo ...
W4321
24.05.2011
This Never Happened - Vladimir Mitrev & Martina Baleva
WWW
This Never Happened Vladimir Mitrev & Martina Baleva Background of the project In 2007 an exhibition about the creation process of the painting “The Massacre of Batak” from 1892 by the Polish painter Antoni Piotrowski should have been shown ...
This Never Happened Vladimir Mitrev & Martina Baleva Background of the project In 2007 an exhibition about the creation process of the painting “The Massacre of Batak” from 1892 by the Polish painter Antoni Piotrowski should have been shown ...
W4103
23.05.2011
On  Level  #01   - Håvard Pedersen
WWW
On Level #01 is/was intended to be an authentic looking Hultafors meter where each 1 cm mark would equal 1,1 cm. Though unnoticed at short distances this error would of course grow considerably and consistently provide a 10% error at any length. The meter ...
On Level #01 is/was intended to be an authentic looking Hultafors meter where each 1 cm mark would equal 1,1 cm. Though unnoticed at short distances this error would of course grow considerably and consistently provide a 10% error at any length. The meter ...
W4475
25.05.2011
Veronica Wilton
WWW
W3494
11.05.2011
The New And The Always Same: Toward New Geographies of Habit - Elvia Pyburn-Wilk
WWW
The New And The Always Same: Toward New Geographies of Habit “The street signs for our event are all hand-written. The directions are painted over signs from past events. These handwritten signs are like the bus line that no longer runs.”1 --Phili ...
The New And The Always Same: Toward New Geographies of Habit “The street signs for our event are all hand-written. The directions are painted over signs from past events. These handwritten signs are like the bus line that no longer runs.”1 --Phili ...
W4997
30.08.2012
Outback Pietà - Maarten Daudeij
WWW
Title: Outback Pietà Artist: Maarten Daudeij (The Netherlands, Australia) Year of origination of the idea: 2011 Concept: Taking the Pietà by Michelangelo out of the Saint Peter and placing it in the Australian Outback Theme: i.e. the duality between ...
Title: Outback Pietà Artist: Maarten Daudeij (The Netherlands, Australia) Year of origination of the idea: 2011 Concept: Taking the Pietà by Michelangelo out of the Saint Peter and placing it in the Australian Outback Theme: i.e. the duality between ...
W5422
20.10.2012
ŻAK BRANICKA FOUNDATION - Szymon Kobylarz
WWW
“Agency of Unrealized Projects” Szymon Kobylarz (Polen) ŻAK BRANICKA FOUNDATION DEUTSCH Bild 1. Das 1. Bild zeigt eine nicht-­‐realisierte, ortspezifische Installation in einer Galerie. Der Besucher eines mit Büchern vollgestopften Raum ...
“Agency of Unrealized Projects” Szymon Kobylarz (Polen) ŻAK BRANICKA FOUNDATION DEUTSCH Bild 1. Das 1. Bild zeigt eine nicht-­‐realisierte, ortspezifische Installation in einer Galerie. Der Besucher eines mit Büchern vollgestopften Raum ...
W3801
18.05.2011
Wish Fountain  - T. Mikey
WWW
Website: tmikey.com/wish Wish Fountain is over 512 square feet of Glowing, Flowing Water Cascading down the sides of an 18 Foot High Transparent Pyramid. Wish Fountain is over 512 square feet of Glowing, Flowing Water Cascading down the sides of ...
Website: tmikey.com/wish Wish Fountain is over 512 square feet of Glowing, Flowing Water Cascading down the sides of an 18 Foot High Transparent Pyramid. Wish Fountain is over 512 square feet of Glowing, Flowing Water Cascading down the sides of ...
W5306
17.10.2012
cat.rais - Jake Morton
WWW
AUP : Agency for un-realised projects : submission : 1.0 The A.U.P. - Agency for un-realised projects - open call invitation states: 1.1 “Though the state of being unrealized implies the potential for realization, not all projects are intended to ...
AUP : Agency for un-realised projects : submission : 1.0 The A.U.P. - Agency for un-realised projects - open call invitation states: 1.1 “Though the state of being unrealized implies the potential for realization, not all projects are intended to ...
W4328
24.05.2011
Brian McLendon
WWW
The project is an installation that can only be experienced via physical movement through the work. I would create an environment channeling the movement of observers through the fair into an unavoidable act of participation, altering its spaces into ...
The project is an installation that can only be experienced via physical movement through the work. I would create an environment channeling the movement of observers through the fair into an unavoidable act of participation, altering its spaces into ...
U9562
01.01.1994
Catwalk - Sylive Fleury
Unbuilt Roads
An outdoor concrete sculpture, yet uncompleted. This minimal sculpture is to be built using the traditional catwalk runway model, as in use for most fashion shows. Although adaptable, it should be constructed according to standard proportions, in a ...
An outdoor concrete sculpture, yet uncompleted. This minimal sculpture is to be built using the traditional catwalk runway model, as in use for most fashion shows. Although adaptable, it should be constructed according to standard proportions, in a ...
W4226
24.05.2011
Round CD or DVD Fountain - Alex Hamilton
WWW
Round CD or DVD Fountain I’ve noticed some financial institutions in Germany (Stuttgart is one) have a large (1 to 1 & half meter) granite sphere revolving in a perfectly fitting “cup” lubricated by a bed of water, outside near the front entrance. ...
Round CD or DVD Fountain I’ve noticed some financial institutions in Germany (Stuttgart is one) have a large (1 to 1 & half meter) granite sphere revolving in a perfectly fitting “cup” lubricated by a bed of water, outside near the front entrance. ...
W4910
14.08.2012
General Valeriano Weyler - Daniela Ortiz in collaboration with Xose Quiroga
WWW
GENERAL VALERIANO WEYLER by Daniela Ortiz & Xose Quiroga The Spanish nation constantly recognises as national pride personalities as Christopher Columbus, Francisco Pizarro, Diego de Almagro or Hernan Cortés; diverse streets, plazas and monuments re ...
GENERAL VALERIANO WEYLER by Daniela Ortiz & Xose Quiroga The Spanish nation constantly recognises as national pride personalities as Christopher Columbus, Francisco Pizarro, Diego de Almagro or Hernan Cortés; diverse streets, plazas and monuments re ...
W4842
08.08.2012
Hanan Shlonsky
WWW
An internet-art project, in which single socks from the first world are collected and sent to third-world countries infested with land-mines. This project will utilize both internet and regular mail. 1 My aunt had to have a Stool Examination. She ...
An internet-art project, in which single socks from the first world are collected and sent to third-world countries infested with land-mines. This project will utilize both internet and regular mail. 1 My aunt had to have a Stool Examination. She ...
W5417
20.10.2012
Untitled - Rachel Alliston
WWW
This untitled project was for a temporary installation in London’s Gordon Square. It was planned over the course of ten months by Rachel Alliston and Laura Weatherly. Before starting work on building the piece, Alliston and Weatherly made an exhibition ...
This untitled project was for a temporary installation in London’s Gordon Square. It was planned over the course of ten months by Rachel Alliston and Laura Weatherly. Before starting work on building the piece, Alliston and Weatherly made an exhibition ...