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.

Progetto per Gerry Schum - Guiseppe Penone

Unrealized Turtles 1967 - Joseph Grigely

Project 1 + Project 2 - Simryn Gill

654 THINGS from The United States - Edward Ruscha

My House - Uri Tzaig

Project for the Initiative Mahnmal Homosexuellenverfolgung, Frankfurt  - Jeff Wall

Isometric Projection - Sol Lewitt

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

Grand Concours International D'Architecture  - Mahe Gilles

Broadway Musicals - Christian Marclay

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4881
09.08.2012
Re:Structure - David Goodman / Jay Paavonpera
WWW
Re:Structure encourages investigation of imagery dismantled from architectonic relationships and urban structures. for this exhibition, we propose to create a unique multi-dimensional experience that acts to facilitate a principled understanding of our im ...
Re:Structure encourages investigation of imagery dismantled from architectonic relationships and urban structures. for this exhibition, we propose to create a unique multi-dimensional experience that acts to facilitate a principled understanding of our im ...
W5220
07.10.2012
Return - Justyna Gruszczyk
WWW
Justyna Gruszczyk RETURN Project consists on scenting former Lutheran church in Toruń with the incense, which is used by Orthodox Church. Interior of the church will remain empty. In a visual way nothing will change. The source of the fragrance will be h ...
Justyna Gruszczyk RETURN Project consists on scenting former Lutheran church in Toruń with the incense, which is used by Orthodox Church. Interior of the church will remain empty. In a visual way nothing will change. The source of the fragrance will be h ...
W5749
22.04.2013
"Blinded Fish" - Jeane Doucas
WWW
a dance-theatre performance, based in Butoh aesthetics. The theme: the schizophrenia and the blindness we live in our day life. These photos were photographed during a rehearsal, in 2011. ...
a dance-theatre performance, based in Butoh aesthetics. The theme: the schizophrenia and the blindness we live in our day life. These photos were photographed during a rehearsal, in 2011. ...
W4869
09.08.2012
Round-trip - Hazem Harb
WWW
Round-trip series 2010 Harb observes a different kind of human suffering when confronted with migrant populations seeking refuge in Italy. He decided to take part in a popular migratory route from Rome to Barcelona commonly used by North African migran ...
Round-trip series 2010 Harb observes a different kind of human suffering when confronted with migrant populations seeking refuge in Italy. He decided to take part in a popular migratory route from Rome to Barcelona commonly used by North African migran ...
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 ...
W4077
23.05.2011
The Museum of Patheticness - Sadie Hennessy
WWW
A short proposal for Matt's Gallery entitled 'The Museum of Patheticness' THE MUSEUM OF PATHETICNESS It has been a long held ambition of mine to establish a Museum of Patheticness. My interest in the idea of patheticness was kindled by my sightings ...
A short proposal for Matt's Gallery entitled 'The Museum of Patheticness' THE MUSEUM OF PATHETICNESS It has been a long held ambition of mine to establish a Museum of Patheticness. My interest in the idea of patheticness was kindled by my sightings ...
W3559
12.05.2011
David Detrich
WWW
My current project involves coring through art periodicals with the intent to obscure the distinctions between the fashion industry and the art world. The periodical ArtForum is a "container" of such dichotomies. I've constructed a tool that cores through ...
My current project involves coring through art periodicals with the intent to obscure the distinctions between the fashion industry and the art world. The periodical ArtForum is a "container" of such dichotomies. I've constructed a tool that cores through ...
W4918
16.08.2012
Elections are a Con ("Wahlen sind Betrug") - Oliver Ressler
WWW
“Elections are a Con” ("Wahlen sind Betrug"), series of posters to be displayed in Innsbruck (Austria); unrealized due to censorship by the provincial government of Tyrol, 2011 “Elections are a Con” – Censorship by the provincial government ...
“Elections are a Con” ("Wahlen sind Betrug"), series of posters to be displayed in Innsbruck (Austria); unrealized due to censorship by the provincial government of Tyrol, 2011 “Elections are a Con” – Censorship by the provincial government ...
W3516
11.05.2011
Hugo Houayek
WWW
To build bridges supporting pillars are needed. To construct pillars art is necessary. Build permanent bridges with ephemeral colored pillars. ...
To build bridges supporting pillars are needed. To construct pillars art is necessary. Build permanent bridges with ephemeral colored pillars. ...
W5281
15.10.2012
The Sky Reaching Hammock - Adam Kalinowsk
WWW
2000, Poznan, Poland. Project for kinetic outdoor sculpture. Proposed total dimensions: 2200 x 7000 x 7000 cm. Steel, aircraft cable, wind turbines with reduction gears. Model in 1:8 scale. Propellers are pointed to various directions in relation to ...
2000, Poznan, Poland. Project for kinetic outdoor sculpture. Proposed total dimensions: 2200 x 7000 x 7000 cm. Steel, aircraft cable, wind turbines with reduction gears. Model in 1:8 scale. Propellers are pointed to various directions in relation to ...
U9887
01.01.1995
MODELL OF AN OFFICE FOR A COUPLE OF TWINS, BOTH 1,38 TALL" - Tobias Rehrenberg
Unbuilt Roads
WOOD, PLASTIC, 2 CHAIRS ca 180 x 150 x 170 cm PIECE OF THE SHOW "CANCELLED PROJECTS" IN MUSEUM FRIEDERICIANUM KASSEL SUMMER 95 Previous Publications (?) NO Existing Documents (photos, drawings, models): ENCLOSED ...
WOOD, PLASTIC, 2 CHAIRS ca 180 x 150 x 170 cm PIECE OF THE SHOW "CANCELLED PROJECTS" IN MUSEUM FRIEDERICIANUM KASSEL SUMMER 95 Previous Publications (?) NO Existing Documents (photos, drawings, models): ENCLOSED ...
W3986
21.05.2011
EMOTIONAL SPACE - sculptor PhD, Aili Vahtrapuu, disainer Janika Vesberg
WWW
Project for Venice XII International Architectural Biennale : People meet in Architecture. An interactive installation to analyse and combine the aural and the visual STATEMENT : PEOPLE MEET IN ARCHITECTURE Venice XII International Architectural ...
Project for Venice XII International Architectural Biennale : People meet in Architecture. An interactive installation to analyse and combine the aural and the visual STATEMENT : PEOPLE MEET IN ARCHITECTURE Venice XII International Architectural ...
W4225
24.05.2011
Climbing the Devil's table / the Daredevil - Romain Sein
WWW
Climbing the Devil's table / the Daredevil (approximatively traduced from french) Climbing the Devil's table is an unrealized project but it's not unrealizable. «The Teufelstisch», the devil table, is a spectacular sandstone from the region of ...
Climbing the Devil's table / the Daredevil (approximatively traduced from french) Climbing the Devil's table is an unrealized project but it's not unrealizable. «The Teufelstisch», the devil table, is a spectacular sandstone from the region of ...
W10172
18.06.2014
Chicago Torture Justice Memorials' Project - Anja Christine Ross
WWW
The title of "Chicago Torture Justice Memorials' Project" is concerned with my suggestion building up a kind of wall with holes. In these holes you might add photographs of this prison-archives. In my mind I found another idea that this wall has a signatu ...
The title of "Chicago Torture Justice Memorials' Project" is concerned with my suggestion building up a kind of wall with holes. In these holes you might add photographs of this prison-archives. In my mind I found another idea that this wall has a signatu ...
D10806
01.01.2008
A Play in Three Acts - Bethan Huws
DAAD
To find three existing flower shops in a relatively large town. The first would be tightly categorised: red roses; pink roses; white lilies, etc. The second would be less so. And the third would resemble something from nature (like many ...
To find three existing flower shops in a relatively large town. The first would be tightly categorised: red roses; pink roses; white lilies, etc. The second would be less so. And the third would resemble something from nature (like many ...
W4223
24.05.2011
Ice Shells - Alex Hamilton
WWW
Ice Shells Casts made from Light racing boats (Shells), and boats made from ice cast. Using the facilities and personnel of the University College of London Boat Racing Club. The moulds will be Rtv silicon rubber. The shells, including oars and some w ...
Ice Shells Casts made from Light racing boats (Shells), and boats made from ice cast. Using the facilities and personnel of the University College of London Boat Racing Club. The moulds will be Rtv silicon rubber. The shells, including oars and some w ...
W3948
20.05.2011
¿Che pasa?/Doesn't matter! - Beatrice Crastini
WWW
Project presented to Frieze Committee, year 2009 In any case i think that this project was in advance before of the Italian "bungabunga" scandal. Project: ¿Che pasa?/Doesn't matter! Recession, crisis, war, record price per barrel, unemployment, ...
Project presented to Frieze Committee, year 2009 In any case i think that this project was in advance before of the Italian "bungabunga" scandal. Project: ¿Che pasa?/Doesn't matter! Recession, crisis, war, record price per barrel, unemployment, ...
W4874
09.08.2012
Kseniya
WWW
W4603
25.05.2011
FOOD | CITIES | EATS - allan siegel
WWW
• The Unrealised Project FOOD | CITIES | EATS was to be created from themes relating to food production, shopping routines and the public and private spaces shaped by the needs of human survival, economic competition and social interaction. It was to d ...
• The Unrealised Project FOOD | CITIES | EATS was to be created from themes relating to food production, shopping routines and the public and private spaces shaped by the needs of human survival, economic competition and social interaction. It was to d ...
W4378
25.05.2011
Proposal for the Sox/35th Street Station, Dan Ryan Branch Red Line - Kristin Jones / Andrew Ginzel
WWW
Proposal for the Sox/35th Street Station, Dan Ryan Branch Red Line We seek to create a new work that is dynamically integrated into the environment of the Sox/35th Street Station. The proposed work celebrates the spirit and vitality of the station e ...
Proposal for the Sox/35th Street Station, Dan Ryan Branch Red Line We seek to create a new work that is dynamically integrated into the environment of the Sox/35th Street Station. The proposed work celebrates the spirit and vitality of the station e ...
W3493
11.05.2011
SEX CHAT KARAOKE - Sally-Ann Blaise
WWW
SEX CHAT KARAOKE A Selection of TEXT collected by artist through late night sex chat rooms is printed in duplicate and arranged at the corner of a stage, upon which a small FUNK BAND is playing a GROOVE. audience participate by selecting text in tandem ...
SEX CHAT KARAOKE A Selection of TEXT collected by artist through late night sex chat rooms is printed in duplicate and arranged at the corner of a stage, upon which a small FUNK BAND is playing a GROOVE. audience participate by selecting text in tandem ...
W3931
20.05.2011
Random Identity Forum (“RIF”) - ANNA LASCARI
WWW
The “Identity Flag” can be reviewed at: www.annalascari.net/RIF Project Description “RIF” (Random Identity Forum) is an interactive installation that allows users to participate in and comment on the political and socio-economic policie ...
The “Identity Flag” can be reviewed at: www.annalascari.net/RIF Project Description “RIF” (Random Identity Forum) is an interactive installation that allows users to participate in and comment on the political and socio-economic policie ...
W4346
24.05.2011
Sane Jung
WWW
Through my art, I can go fishing, I can eat burgers, I can play with balls, I can go to the sea and go to mountain. I can meet people and talk to people, I can see the sky and I can see the moon. How gorgeous it is and what a wonderful, exciting privilege ...
Through my art, I can go fishing, I can eat burgers, I can play with balls, I can go to the sea and go to mountain. I can meet people and talk to people, I can see the sky and I can see the moon. How gorgeous it is and what a wonderful, exciting privilege ...
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 ...
W10528
16.05.2014
Somewhere Between 540,412,598 and 579,858,773 Breaths - Alex McKenzie
WWW
Somewhere Between 540,412,598 and 579,858,773 Breaths is an attempt to link the action of breathing to the passage of time and by extension to our own mortality. The project takes the form of a large-scale video installation with 400 separate projectors. ...
Somewhere Between 540,412,598 and 579,858,773 Breaths is an attempt to link the action of breathing to the passage of time and by extension to our own mortality. The project takes the form of a large-scale video installation with 400 separate projectors. ...
W5317
18.10.2012
Apostol Kardamov
WWW
To starting form early 19th century, industrial revolution had spread all around the world with enormous impact. Individual countries got infected differently by this magnificent influence. This difference ( in my view point) comes from culture. ...
To starting form early 19th century, industrial revolution had spread all around the world with enormous impact. Individual countries got infected differently by this magnificent influence. This difference ( in my view point) comes from culture. ...