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.

To Two Too; Hypothetical Monument for a Natural Disaster - Jeffrey Wisniewski

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

Niemandsland - Hans Haacke

Festival du film de famille - Pierre Huyghe

Placid Earth: A Project for the Meeting of Millennia - Cai Guo Quiang

Right-of-Privacy Release - Tony Oursler

Visual Poem: Cap I Cua - Joan Brossa

Theater der Leere - Werner Ruhnau and Yves Klein

Memorial - Ilya Kabakov

Projet pour la Place Saint Léger à Chambery  - Erik Dietman

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4080
23.05.2011
Photorécepteurs - Kasia Ozga
WWW
Description du Projet – Photorécepteurs Pour le projet participatif, Photorécepteurs, je souhaite travailler sur des images en grand format des yeux des habitants de la Ville de _________. Un photorécepteur peut désigner un neurone sensoriel sens ...
Description du Projet – Photorécepteurs Pour le projet participatif, Photorécepteurs, je souhaite travailler sur des images en grand format des yeux des habitants de la Ville de _________. Un photorécepteur peut désigner un neurone sensoriel sens ...
W4843
08.08.2012
Trein Time Zeit Zug - Manuel Saiz
WWW
Trein Time Zeit Zug a project by Manuel Saiz Train Time Zeit Zug is an art installation involving a circular high speed train in Central Europe, with stretches in Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Belgium and The Netherlands. The train runs along a 2, ...
Trein Time Zeit Zug a project by Manuel Saiz Train Time Zeit Zug is an art installation involving a circular high speed train in Central Europe, with stretches in Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Belgium and The Netherlands. The train runs along a 2, ...
W4306
24.05.2011
LOVE IS IN THE AIR - Zilvinas Kempinas + Architect Bettina Zerza
WWW
LOVE IS IN THE AIR Im Jahr 1960 beschrieb Neil Armstrong, der erste Mensch auf dem Mond, aus dem Fenster seines Raumschiffs die Erde als „eine große blaue Murmel“. Ort Die Fluggastbrücke ist ein O ...
LOVE IS IN THE AIR Im Jahr 1960 beschrieb Neil Armstrong, der erste Mensch auf dem Mond, aus dem Fenster seines Raumschiffs die Erde als „eine große blaue Murmel“. Ort Die Fluggastbrücke ist ein O ...
W4529
25.05.2011
Jaime Szczepanski
WWW
In 2006, I initiated a serial photographic project of static, frontal shots of closed storefronts in Paris, along with videos of storekeepers closing their shops. The material was to be amassed and combined in a stroboscopic video montage, tentatively tit ...
In 2006, I initiated a serial photographic project of static, frontal shots of closed storefronts in Paris, along with videos of storekeepers closing their shops. The material was to be amassed and combined in a stroboscopic video montage, tentatively tit ...
W3614
13.05.2011
Thanasis Chondros & Alexandra Katsiani
WWW
In July 1981, and again in February 1989, we proposed to friends of ours and other artists and to everyone it may concern-through texts in the magazines “Sin kai Plin” and “To Bitoni”, to found a football team. We made this proposal because of ...
In July 1981, and again in February 1989, we proposed to friends of ours and other artists and to everyone it may concern-through texts in the magazines “Sin kai Plin” and “To Bitoni”, to found a football team. We made this proposal because of ...
W3853
19.05.2011
Identity Correlations - Yu-Hang Huang
WWW
“Identity Correlations” is a series of documentaries of my journey while wearing various houses in different environments and searching for a place to fit in. ...
“Identity Correlations” is a series of documentaries of my journey while wearing various houses in different environments and searching for a place to fit in. ...
W3877
19.05.2011
Sound Of Trains - Derek Michael Besant
WWW
sound of underground train from another city as audio integration downtown in Canadian city Client: City of Calgary Development Dept. / Canada Date: 2002 Audio art integration into minor city pedestrian sidewalk downtown Calgary Alberta Canada. T ...
sound of underground train from another city as audio integration downtown in Canadian city Client: City of Calgary Development Dept. / Canada Date: 2002 Audio art integration into minor city pedestrian sidewalk downtown Calgary Alberta Canada. T ...
W4534
25.05.2011
KOWTOW - ONE CHINA ONLY -- A LONELY EMPEROR - Vincent J.F. HUANG
WWW
KOWTOW ONE CHINA ONLY -- A LONELY EMPEROR VINCENT J.F. HUANG When China became the world’s second best economic entity, and when financial crisis strongly wounded every other nation’s economy, China’s emergence seemed to turn it into a global p ...
KOWTOW ONE CHINA ONLY -- A LONELY EMPEROR VINCENT J.F. HUANG When China became the world’s second best economic entity, and when financial crisis strongly wounded every other nation’s economy, China’s emergence seemed to turn it into a global p ...
W5150
24.09.2012
a Tunnel - Nimrod Reuveni
WWW
A Tunnel - an unrealized project The project was designed for "Fresh Paint 3" art fair in Tel Aviv, 2009, as a special project of Nimrod Reuveni in collaboration with Dani Karavan. Explanation: Three-dimensional composition, consisting of ready m ...
A Tunnel - an unrealized project The project was designed for "Fresh Paint 3" art fair in Tel Aviv, 2009, as a special project of Nimrod Reuveni in collaboration with Dani Karavan. Explanation: Three-dimensional composition, consisting of ready m ...
W4464
25.05.2011
FLOW - Jane Ball
WWW
FLOW My proposal is to use the Pen Museum, Birmingham as an investigative site for the production of new works that build on ideas initiated in the work entitled ‘Cut’ (shown at the Vaults, Birmingham, 2010); ideas relating to the sculptural act o ...
FLOW My proposal is to use the Pen Museum, Birmingham as an investigative site for the production of new works that build on ideas initiated in the work entitled ‘Cut’ (shown at the Vaults, Birmingham, 2010); ideas relating to the sculptural act o ...
W3947
20.05.2011
lucciola.net - Beatrice Crastini
WWW
Project to create a bright jewel, presented to the "Trieste Contemporanea International Design Contest", 2006 Name: lucciola.net Lucciola.net is an jewel whimsical assembled and balanced. Feature: vision in motion. In a little piece of glass ...
Project to create a bright jewel, presented to the "Trieste Contemporanea International Design Contest", 2006 Name: lucciola.net Lucciola.net is an jewel whimsical assembled and balanced. Feature: vision in motion. In a little piece of glass ...
W4383
25.05.2011
Lunch - Tra Bouscaren
WWW
Tra Bouscaren: Lunch For the "Lunch" project, I propose to cut off a piece of my own ass and have it grown in a laboratory until it reaches some kind of meal-like proportions, and then eat it as a performance. In addition, I would like to to make ...
Tra Bouscaren: Lunch For the "Lunch" project, I propose to cut off a piece of my own ass and have it grown in a laboratory until it reaches some kind of meal-like proportions, and then eat it as a performance. In addition, I would like to to make ...
W3650
15.05.2011
Justyn Zolli
WWW
These are two unrealized designs are for large stained glass windows. The designs is variable in scale, and the windows would make use of specialized glass such as lenses, roundel disks, and mouth-blown antique glass. This photo is derived from a maquette ...
These are two unrealized designs are for large stained glass windows. The designs is variable in scale, and the windows would make use of specialized glass such as lenses, roundel disks, and mouth-blown antique glass. This photo is derived from a maquette ...
W3875
19.05.2011
TERRITORY: Bank parking lot mural Canada - Derek Michael Besant
WWW
Client: Bank of Nova Scotia / Canada Date: 2010 Industrial UV ink imaging applications to large-scale alucobond curtainwall sheets at second storey level attached in sections that create a narrative of: • Out-of-focus faces • Everyday objects ...
Client: Bank of Nova Scotia / Canada Date: 2010 Industrial UV ink imaging applications to large-scale alucobond curtainwall sheets at second storey level attached in sections that create a narrative of: • Out-of-focus faces • Everyday objects ...
W5054
03.09.2012
Parish in Lezkairu - Taller Basico de Arquitectura [TBA]
WWW
Parish in Lezkairu (2011) The building takes an "L" form, as it differentiates two principal zones: the temple, which occupies one side of the "L", and the rooms and housings, that occupy the other side. Both areas coexist in a strong and unified image ...
Parish in Lezkairu (2011) The building takes an "L" form, as it differentiates two principal zones: the temple, which occupies one side of the "L", and the rooms and housings, that occupy the other side. Both areas coexist in a strong and unified image ...
W3792
18.05.2011
TYRE GARDEN - Agnieszka Wolodzko
WWW
Participatory action with a catastrophy in the background. My project is based on an assumption that in future, in result of economic / political / climatic crises, European cities, will surrender to a total degradation and it will gradually get a char ...
Participatory action with a catastrophy in the background. My project is based on an assumption that in future, in result of economic / political / climatic crises, European cities, will surrender to a total degradation and it will gradually get a char ...
W3575
12.05.2011
CD COVER SCULPTURE. Concepts. - Javier Lamela
WWW
It sums up a trip to a temporary place where you live and work for a period of time. It depicts a leaf, not a seed which calls for roots, transported by wind, in a movement that goes along with the Planet Earth. It is, in fact, a digital leaf consisting o ...
It sums up a trip to a temporary place where you live and work for a period of time. It depicts a leaf, not a seed which calls for roots, transported by wind, in a movement that goes along with the Planet Earth. It is, in fact, a digital leaf consisting o ...
W4896
11.08.2012
Untitled - Theodoros Stamatogiannis
WWW
Untitled 2010 Model /Proposal for an installation Proposed materials: carpets Materials of the model: cardboard, textile Dimensions of the model: length 50cm, width 63cm, height 58cm Dimensions of the real work: length 600cm, width 134cm, height 28 ...
Untitled 2010 Model /Proposal for an installation Proposed materials: carpets Materials of the model: cardboard, textile Dimensions of the model: length 50cm, width 63cm, height 58cm Dimensions of the real work: length 600cm, width 134cm, height 28 ...
W4260
24.05.2011
Kristin Jones / Andrew Ginzel
WWW
Proposal for the Walker Art Center Minneapolis 1987 ...
Proposal for the Walker Art Center Minneapolis 1987 ...
W5024
31.08.2012
Generali Project - Omri Livne
WWW
Generali Project. Generali Project is a project I started to develop this year in Vienna, Austria and transferred to Jerusalem, I eventually fitted it to the needs of Jerusalem, Israel. The project is in format of a lecture or projected presentation as ...
Generali Project. Generali Project is a project I started to develop this year in Vienna, Austria and transferred to Jerusalem, I eventually fitted it to the needs of Jerusalem, Israel. The project is in format of a lecture or projected presentation as ...
W3637
14.05.2011
lemeh42
WWW
Here are a couple of my two new illustrations. ...
Here are a couple of my two new illustrations. ...
W5895
18.10.2013
Head over heels - Matthijs Muller
WWW
This House embodies the difficulties involved with building brick houses in the marshy grounds of the Netherlands. It's position, leaning on its roof, it's unbalance, seems the result of some dramatic event. The poles that poke into the air look like some ...
This House embodies the difficulties involved with building brick houses in the marshy grounds of the Netherlands. It's position, leaning on its roof, it's unbalance, seems the result of some dramatic event. The poles that poke into the air look like some ...
W3696
16.05.2011
Man thrown from his environment torned
pick up his mess
rhea his route
rolling in his fate - Alicia Larraín
WWW
The concept of this Art installation is to emphasize the segmentation or boundary as a subtle , ambiguous limit, which divides areas, confining people, separating them in the world they inhabit.  Allowing them to free themselves from their imprisonmen ...
The concept of this Art installation is to emphasize the segmentation or boundary as a subtle , ambiguous limit, which divides areas, confining people, separating them in the world they inhabit.  Allowing them to free themselves from their imprisonmen ...
W4834
07.08.2012
Encapsulation - Michael Haight
WWW
Encapsulation is a project based on the power the white cube has to confer "art object-ness" onto whatever is contained inside as well its ability to select and reject what is to be encapsulated. The project has not yet been realized because of lack of fu ...
Encapsulation is a project based on the power the white cube has to confer "art object-ness" onto whatever is contained inside as well its ability to select and reject what is to be encapsulated. The project has not yet been realized because of lack of fu ...
W3844
19.05.2011
I want to do the laundry; or rather I want to finish the laundry - Svava Thordis Juliusson
WWW
TO: Agency of Unrealized Projects I want to do the laundry; or rather I want to finish the laundry. It is a project that poses vague theoretical and aesthetic questions, but to explore possible ways to put an end to this task could forever change the t ...
TO: Agency of Unrealized Projects I want to do the laundry; or rather I want to finish the laundry. It is a project that poses vague theoretical and aesthetic questions, but to explore possible ways to put an end to this task could forever change the t ...
W4055
23.05.2011
“Illum” Proposal - Kat Kohl
WWW
Through my work, I explore the concept of how external surroundings impact the “internal” experience of the individual and how dimensional transformation alters the function of a form. I utilize the duality of material surfaces to create undulating pl ...
Through my work, I explore the concept of how external surroundings impact the “internal” experience of the individual and how dimensional transformation alters the function of a form. I utilize the duality of material surfaces to create undulating pl ...