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.

Billboard - Jimmie Durham

Prima del 73 - Fabio Mauri

PROPOSAL FOR SEATTLE ARTS COMMISSION, IN PUBLIC - Chris Burden

My House - Uri Tzaig

Right-of-Privacy Release - Tony Oursler

Battery Park City - Per Kirkeby

Museum - Katharina Fritsch

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

2 Architecture Towers - Robert Irwin

Merci, Thank you, Danke: Les 2 sujets  - Thomas Hirschorn

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
#
Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
U9983
01.01.1994
To Two Too; Hypothetical Monument for a Natural Disaster - Jeffrey Wisniewski
Unbuilt Roads
(222) steel, wire mesh containers, 'gitter boxes', half filled with architectural and cultural debris with other miscellaneous rubble (22) solar panels with battery bank, etc. (solar system) (6) LCD video projectors; video and live television broad ...
(222) steel, wire mesh containers, 'gitter boxes', half filled with architectural and cultural debris with other miscellaneous rubble (22) solar panels with battery bank, etc. (solar system) (6) LCD video projectors; video and live television broad ...
U9804
25.03.1997
Unrealized Projects - Jonas Meckas
Unbuilt Roads
Dear Hans Ulrich: Tonight I am thinking about my unrealized projects. I have many of them. One is: To publish a book of IDEAS. I consider that ideas are the cheapest thing in the world. I have about 10,000 of them. But I have no time to put them all in ...
Dear Hans Ulrich: Tonight I am thinking about my unrealized projects. I have many of them. One is: To publish a book of IDEAS. I consider that ideas are the cheapest thing in the world. I have about 10,000 of them. But I have no time to put them all in ...
W4431
25.05.2011
NAKED SLAVE FOR SALE FOR 1-YEAR TERM  - Johnny Naked
WWW
NAKED SLAVE FOR SALE FOR 1-YEAR TERM www.nakedslave4art.com The artist Johnny Naked is offering his services as a naked slave for the price of $1,999,999.99 (U.S.) for a duration period of 1 year. Terms of the Deal: The buyer will pay the full price ...
NAKED SLAVE FOR SALE FOR 1-YEAR TERM www.nakedslave4art.com The artist Johnny Naked is offering his services as a naked slave for the price of $1,999,999.99 (U.S.) for a duration period of 1 year. Terms of the Deal: The buyer will pay the full price ...
W5429
20.10.2012
imagined spaces - Stephen Cruise
WWW
Series entitled ‘imagined spaces’ begun in 2005 On-going. New works generated when site and form find their place. Stephen Cruise Willow dale ON Canada Image One 1 Raymond Drive - a re-visitation to a childhood home Image Two Blooming ...
Series entitled ‘imagined spaces’ begun in 2005 On-going. New works generated when site and form find their place. Stephen Cruise Willow dale ON Canada Image One 1 Raymond Drive - a re-visitation to a childhood home Image Two Blooming ...
W4568
25.05.2011
"Wire Tap"  - Dianne Bowen and Heins Kim
WWW
"Wire Tap" physical study I, 2008 2,500 steel dress pins, 200 feet heavy gauge copper phone wire, 150 feet steel elevator cable, 5 canvas panels, roughly 4,000 feet of varied data and thin phone wire, 200 feet plastic IV tubing, plastic bubbles, astr ...
"Wire Tap" physical study I, 2008 2,500 steel dress pins, 200 feet heavy gauge copper phone wire, 150 feet steel elevator cable, 5 canvas panels, roughly 4,000 feet of varied data and thin phone wire, 200 feet plastic IV tubing, plastic bubbles, astr ...
W4319
24.05.2011
(Twitter Carrier Pigeon) - seth marshall weiner
WWW
(Social Networking Utilities and the Argument for Physical Space (Twitter Carrier Pigeon) As social networking utilities continue to provide open forums for users to communicate, protest and organize, they lack the necessity for a physical space. T ...
(Social Networking Utilities and the Argument for Physical Space (Twitter Carrier Pigeon) As social networking utilities continue to provide open forums for users to communicate, protest and organize, they lack the necessity for a physical space. T ...
W5101
13.09.2012
Copa & Sordes
WWW
and an another proposal for an ornament in art context ...
and an another proposal for an ornament in art context ...
W3859
19.05.2011
Waiting room: A History of Doing Nothing and a Long Tale of Useful Action - Guillermo E. Rodriguez Rivera
WWW
G A L E R I A M A N G O S T A 23 June – 31 July 2011 402 Muñoz Rivera Ave FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Galeria Mangosta is pleased to present Waiting room: a history of doing nothing and a long tale of useful action. Looking at the pivotal role of ...
G A L E R I A M A N G O S T A 23 June – 31 July 2011 402 Muñoz Rivera Ave FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Galeria Mangosta is pleased to present Waiting room: a history of doing nothing and a long tale of useful action. Looking at the pivotal role of ...
W5051
03.09.2012
Forest Museum - Taller Basico de Arquitectura [TBA]
WWW
Forest Museum (2010) A forest inside another forest The museum floor learns from the characteristic concentricity of a tree trunk. As the different stages of its life, it contains the museum spaces: reception, temporary and permanent exhibitions... ...
Forest Museum (2010) A forest inside another forest The museum floor learns from the characteristic concentricity of a tree trunk. As the different stages of its life, it contains the museum spaces: reception, temporary and permanent exhibitions... ...
W4276
24.05.2011
Proposal for the New Jersey State Aquarium - Kristin Jones / Andrew Ginzel
WWW
Proposal for the New Jersey State Aquarium Camden, New Jersey ...
Proposal for the New Jersey State Aquarium Camden, New Jersey ...
W3579
13.05.2011
Nyela Saeed
WWW
I was born in Mumbai and received my Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Sir J.J School of Art, Mumbai in 2004 and Post Baccalaureate Diploma from Pont Aven School of Art, Brittany, France in 2006. My last solo show titled ‘Impositions’ was held in Switzer ...
I was born in Mumbai and received my Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Sir J.J School of Art, Mumbai in 2004 and Post Baccalaureate Diploma from Pont Aven School of Art, Brittany, France in 2006. My last solo show titled ‘Impositions’ was held in Switzer ...
W4954
20.08.2012
Urban scape sketch - Marta Fuster Barutell
WWW
Urban scape sketch by Marta Fuster Barutell Site-specific installation composed of a variable amount of boxes. Each box is fabricated with welded 100mm square tube steel to the scale of one cubic metre per box. Opposing faces of the cube should ha ...
Urban scape sketch by Marta Fuster Barutell Site-specific installation composed of a variable amount of boxes. Each box is fabricated with welded 100mm square tube steel to the scale of one cubic metre per box. Opposing faces of the cube should ha ...
W4631
25.05.2011
Free to Choose - Erik Wenzel
WWW
FOTA (Festival of the Arts) 2010 APPLICATION Title of Project: Free to Choose Name: Erik Wenzel
 Location: The Chicago Theological Seminary Duration: Installed for the length of FOTA, subject to CTS schedule STATEMENT I propose to make a ...
FOTA (Festival of the Arts) 2010 APPLICATION Title of Project: Free to Choose Name: Erik Wenzel
 Location: The Chicago Theological Seminary Duration: Installed for the length of FOTA, subject to CTS schedule STATEMENT I propose to make a ...
U9567
01.01.1995
Museum - Katharina Fritsch
Unbuilt Roads
Beschreibung des Modells bitte dem Katalog "Katharina Fritsch, Museum, Biennale Venedig 1995" entnehmen. (Erster Abschnitt: Modell 1:10) Der Katalog ist bei Cantz in Stuttgart gedruckt. Previous Publications (?) Katalog der Biennale Venedig 1995 (s ...
Beschreibung des Modells bitte dem Katalog "Katharina Fritsch, Museum, Biennale Venedig 1995" entnehmen. (Erster Abschnitt: Modell 1:10) Der Katalog ist bei Cantz in Stuttgart gedruckt. Previous Publications (?) Katalog der Biennale Venedig 1995 (s ...
W3678
15.05.2011
The Bardo Board Game Project - barbara russell
WWW
I have revisited “The Bardo Board Game Project” with great excitement and joy thanks to you! I share an exciting temporary art installation that can benefit families whose children face day-to-day life decision challenges that take them away from a c ...
I have revisited “The Bardo Board Game Project” with great excitement and joy thanks to you! I share an exciting temporary art installation that can benefit families whose children face day-to-day life decision challenges that take them away from a c ...
W3878
19.05.2011
SCISSORGATE - Derek Michael Besant
WWW
SCISSORGATE Client: Banker’s Hall Downtown Tower Entry / Calgary Alberta Canada Date: 2003 Based on the child’s game; Scissors, Paper, Rock, these giant forms create an obstacle course of forms akin to a Japanese Garden. The offset wall where t ...
SCISSORGATE Client: Banker’s Hall Downtown Tower Entry / Calgary Alberta Canada Date: 2003 Based on the child’s game; Scissors, Paper, Rock, these giant forms create an obstacle course of forms akin to a Japanese Garden. The offset wall where t ...
W10481
28.04.2014
The Geese of Feliferhof - Esther Shalev-Gerz with Jochen Gerz
WWW
Graz, Austria In 1996, Esther Shalev-Gerz and Jochen Gerz won an international competition launched by the Austrian government to pay tribute to those who opposed the Nazi regime. The artists proposed installing four white flags carrying red inscriptio ...
Graz, Austria In 1996, Esther Shalev-Gerz and Jochen Gerz won an international competition launched by the Austrian government to pay tribute to those who opposed the Nazi regime. The artists proposed installing four white flags carrying red inscriptio ...
D10785
01.01.2013
TO BUY A CAR AND DROP IT IN THE OCEAN IN THE MIDDLE OF A FULLMOON NIGHT - Bruzzone
DAAD
TO BUY A CAR AND DROP IT IN THE OCEAN IN THE MIDDLE OF A FULLMOON NIGHT ...
TO BUY A CAR AND DROP IT IN THE OCEAN IN THE MIDDLE OF A FULLMOON NIGHT ...
W4111
23.05.2011
“The Observed Observer" - Alexandre Dang
WWW
“The Observed Observer" Introduction Artist Alexandre Dang works on raising awareness on contemporary and extemporal issues. The installation of “The Observed Observer” offers the visitor to experience something totally unusual. This work enab ...
“The Observed Observer" Introduction Artist Alexandre Dang works on raising awareness on contemporary and extemporal issues. The installation of “The Observed Observer” offers the visitor to experience something totally unusual. This work enab ...
U9973
23.01.1993
Brücke Wein-Kanal Arch. Hermann Czech, Wein - Franz West
Unbuilt Roads
Denen, die in dieselben Flüsse steigen, fließen immer neue Wasser zu , und (immer neue) Seelen entsteigen der Feuchtigkeit. Heraklit, Fragment 12[1] Linkes Brückenauflager Ansicht Nordwest M 1:33 ...
Denen, die in dieselben Flüsse steigen, fließen immer neue Wasser zu , und (immer neue) Seelen entsteigen der Feuchtigkeit. Heraklit, Fragment 12[1] Linkes Brückenauflager Ansicht Nordwest M 1:33 ...
W4536
25.05.2011
CHARM OF SOUND - Petri Kuljuntausta
WWW
PETRI KULJUNTAUSTA: CHARM OF SOUND (1997) Petri Kuljuntausta's Charm of Sound (1997) is a text-based environmental composition in three parts, which is composed for outer space environment. In 1997 Cassini-Huygens spacecraft (Titan-IVB/Centaur) was laun ...
PETRI KULJUNTAUSTA: CHARM OF SOUND (1997) Petri Kuljuntausta's Charm of Sound (1997) is a text-based environmental composition in three parts, which is composed for outer space environment. In 1997 Cassini-Huygens spacecraft (Titan-IVB/Centaur) was laun ...
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 ...
W5295
17.10.2012
Tomb of the Unknown Broker - Andreas Kopp
WWW
To the unknown Broker / Tomb of the Unknown Broker ( Dem unbekannten Broker ) a monument about artistic vision as social comment The installation (Tomb of an Unknown Broker) is dedicated to the virtual character of an Unidentified Broker. It highl ...
To the unknown Broker / Tomb of the Unknown Broker ( Dem unbekannten Broker ) a monument about artistic vision as social comment The installation (Tomb of an Unknown Broker) is dedicated to the virtual character of an Unidentified Broker. It highl ...
W3911
20.05.2011
A proposal for PITT. (Did not happen) - Nicole Mortiboys
WWW
A proposal for PITT. (Did not happen) pittstudio@com. The proposal to Nathan Pitt of PITT, was to make up an inflatable copy of cartoon hand, (see image attached).To the same size as the gallery space. The hand would be placed in the gallery before b ...
A proposal for PITT. (Did not happen) pittstudio@com. The proposal to Nathan Pitt of PITT, was to make up an inflatable copy of cartoon hand, (see image attached).To the same size as the gallery space. The hand would be placed in the gallery before b ...
W4155
23.05.2011
Got to the Studio - Oli Sorenson
WWW
The “Got to the Studio” series is a yet-to-be realised project, recording several failed attempts to make a masterpiece, or similar great work of art, either through lack of talent or simple laziness. ...
The “Got to the Studio” series is a yet-to-be realised project, recording several failed attempts to make a masterpiece, or similar great work of art, either through lack of talent or simple laziness. ...
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 ...