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.

Passage - Richard Wentworth

Time Magazine Cover - Robert Rauschenberg

Prima del 73 - Fabio Mauri

2 Architecture Towers - Robert Irwin

Projets non réalisés: - Daniel Buren

Aguapracasa - Gabriel Orozco

<A Public Misery Message> - Critical Art Ensemble

Relatum (Iron Plate and Stone) - Lee Ufan

No title, as the project only reached proposal stage - Rikrit Tiravanija

Entwurf für einen erneuerten Malkasten 1992 - 1994 - Ulrike Holthöfer

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4903
13.08.2012
Round Table - Raoul Marek
WWW
The “freedom and democracy monument” is designed in the shape of an oversized transparent round table: People make use of the elements of that round table by their presence and help bring life into it.The round table is the symbol of the democratic id ...
The “freedom and democracy monument” is designed in the shape of an oversized transparent round table: People make use of the elements of that round table by their presence and help bring life into it.The round table is the symbol of the democratic id ...
W3737
18.05.2011
Pharos - Felippe Moraes
WWW
The installation “Pharos” consists in a 7m scaffold with a “moving head” lighting device that permits the yellow horizontal spinning light beam required for the work. This strong beam spins 365° horizontally, evoking the very symbolic ...
The installation “Pharos” consists in a 7m scaffold with a “moving head” lighting device that permits the yellow horizontal spinning light beam required for the work. This strong beam spins 365° horizontally, evoking the very symbolic ...
W4616
25.05.2011
Unrealized project no. 09: Further Development or To Be in an Endless State of Flux - Ruben Aubrecht
WWW
Unrealized project no. 09: Further Development or To Be in an Endless State of Flux The work takes up the incessant developments in social, political and scientific matters and transfers this idea of a never-ending process allegorically onto buildings ...
Unrealized project no. 09: Further Development or To Be in an Endless State of Flux The work takes up the incessant developments in social, political and scientific matters and transfers this idea of a never-ending process allegorically onto buildings ...
W4491
25.05.2011
An unrealized high relief sculpture project from Istanbul. - Dilara Akay
WWW
An unrealized high relief sculpture project from Istanbul. In October 2010 I was asked to propose a work for a building of a leading Turkish retail operation brand's headquarters in Istanbul. I made the presentation at the beginning of February 2011. And ...
An unrealized high relief sculpture project from Istanbul. In October 2010 I was asked to propose a work for a building of a leading Turkish retail operation brand's headquarters in Istanbul. I made the presentation at the beginning of February 2011. And ...
W4721
26.05.2011
The Boston Corbett Project - Anna Bruinsma
WWW
THE BOSTON CORBETT PROJECT Location: San Francisco to Concordia Filmed by Anna Bruinsma, Performed by Lauren Kronemyer The Boston Corbett Project is an unrealized collaborative experimental documentary. The subject was a nineteen-year-old girl (Kron ...
THE BOSTON CORBETT PROJECT Location: San Francisco to Concordia Filmed by Anna Bruinsma, Performed by Lauren Kronemyer The Boston Corbett Project is an unrealized collaborative experimental documentary. The subject was a nineteen-year-old girl (Kron ...
W4505
25.05.2011
NEW NEW AGE - Eduardo Navarro
WWW
NEW NEW AGE The project seeks to capitalize the kinetic energy generated at a gym. Transforming the movement of the stationary bikes, running machines, work out machines, etc into electrical energy with the use of dynamos. The gym will be independent of ...
NEW NEW AGE The project seeks to capitalize the kinetic energy generated at a gym. Transforming the movement of the stationary bikes, running machines, work out machines, etc into electrical energy with the use of dynamos. The gym will be independent of ...
W4474
25.05.2011
Ground Control - Diccon Spain
WWW
1 Introduction 1.1 Underpasses as attractive, minimalist and functional links in a holistic, uplifting, and sociable network. Polished near-white concrete walls with no art to disrupt the flow. On the ground scintillating white tarmac containing recycled ...
1 Introduction 1.1 Underpasses as attractive, minimalist and functional links in a holistic, uplifting, and sociable network. Polished near-white concrete walls with no art to disrupt the flow. On the ground scintillating white tarmac containing recycled ...
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 ...
W10398
19.04.2014
Object Non Object - John Kenneth Melvin
WWW
Abstract: The purpose of this document is to explore, establish, and develop the possible application of a large scale temporary installation in the earth’s orbit. Concept: Ideally in order to make that something which questions the materiality ...
Abstract: The purpose of this document is to explore, establish, and develop the possible application of a large scale temporary installation in the earth’s orbit. Concept: Ideally in order to make that something which questions the materiality ...
W5310
17.10.2012
NaoKo TakaHashi
WWW
This project is to dress the entire serpentine Gallery in circus tents and invite visitors to be hypnotised to experience a false memory. ...
This project is to dress the entire serpentine Gallery in circus tents and invite visitors to be hypnotised to experience a false memory. ...
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 ...
W4423
25.05.2011
Suspended in the Void  - Juan G. Caicedo D.
WWW
Suspended in the Void In the courtyard of the building, on the corner between the northern and eastern façades there is a balcony. In front of it a large object is suspended, it is not a magical event, it does not float miraculously: it hangs from a re ...
Suspended in the Void In the courtyard of the building, on the corner between the northern and eastern façades there is a balcony. In front of it a large object is suspended, it is not a magical event, it does not float miraculously: it hangs from a re ...
W3603
13.05.2011
francine LeClercq
WWW
in memoriam of a work not yet done ...
in memoriam of a work not yet done ...
W5199
03.10.2012
Social Walls - David Averbuch
WWW
Social Walls™ A Proposal for an Environmental Sculpture 25 November 2013 David Averbuch This proposed artwork has just four walls in a square shape, yet it represents a new idea. Each wall will be divided into small equal areas, henceforth calle ...
Social Walls™ A Proposal for an Environmental Sculpture 25 November 2013 David Averbuch This proposed artwork has just four walls in a square shape, yet it represents a new idea. Each wall will be divided into small equal areas, henceforth calle ...
W10923
20.06.2015
T.A. 27 Sydney 2000 - Olympia Golden Track - Johannes Angerbauer-Goldhoff
WWW
1997 erfolgte nach einer längeren Planungs- und Verhandlungsphase die Unterzeichung des Finanzierungs- und Realisierung Vertrags für ein Soziales Kunstgroßprojekt zur Eröffnung der Olympischen Spiele in Sydney 2000. Die gesamte Laufbahn des Olympische ...
1997 erfolgte nach einer längeren Planungs- und Verhandlungsphase die Unterzeichung des Finanzierungs- und Realisierung Vertrags für ein Soziales Kunstgroßprojekt zur Eröffnung der Olympischen Spiele in Sydney 2000. Die gesamte Laufbahn des Olympische ...
W3567
12.05.2011
Connecting the Dots 2002  - Julianna Balogh
WWW
Concept: Why we cannot get along? I am terribly disturbed by the fact that war is still in our vocabulary at the beginning of the 21st century. Medium: High polished golden color bronze, and unpol We are all connected from the North pole to the Sout ...
Concept: Why we cannot get along? I am terribly disturbed by the fact that war is still in our vocabulary at the beginning of the 21st century. Medium: High polished golden color bronze, and unpol We are all connected from the North pole to the Sout ...
W5359
19.10.2012
Malignant Ego Boxes - Levan Manjavidze
WWW
Idea for installation, sculpture, which is impossible to realize for me at the moment because of time that runs so fast! One peaceful evening I observed feeling of jealousy and clearly saw that its similar of feeling envy.
In both cases you long fo ...
Idea for installation, sculpture, which is impossible to realize for me at the moment because of time that runs so fast! One peaceful evening I observed feeling of jealousy and clearly saw that its similar of feeling envy.
In both cases you long fo ...
W4691
26.05.2011
ZOE MACKLER
WWW
George W. Bush Indicted for Crimes Against Humanity ...
George W. Bush Indicted for Crimes Against Humanity ...
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 ...
W4072
23.05.2011
'KEIDAI reappearance' project - OKAMOTO Mitsuhiro
WWW
'KEIDAI reappearance' project, July to September 2005, is reappearance of one of a Japanese shrine precincts in Ciaotou, south of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Most Japanese Shinto shrines in Taiwan were destroyed by Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang after W.W.Ⅱ ...
'KEIDAI reappearance' project, July to September 2005, is reappearance of one of a Japanese shrine precincts in Ciaotou, south of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Most Japanese Shinto shrines in Taiwan were destroyed by Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang after W.W.Ⅱ ...
W10252
10.04.2014
Contact - Bastiaan Arler
WWW
In the summer of 1975 a fresh wind blew over the world. At a distance of 225 km, in orbit around the Earth, the USA and the USSR made contact as two spacecraft docked together in a sign of peace. In an instant it lightened the spirit of all of those caugh ...
In the summer of 1975 a fresh wind blew over the world. At a distance of 225 km, in orbit around the Earth, the USA and the USSR made contact as two spacecraft docked together in a sign of peace. In an instant it lightened the spirit of all of those caugh ...
W5263
13.10.2012
Brick Rushnik - Maria Gonchar
WWW
Rushnik or Rushnyk- Ukrainian embroidered decorative towel. In ancient times, the towel, embroidered with the relevant patterns, symbols, has been an inherent part of many ceremonies. For centuries it has the importance of figurative-symbolic significanc ...
Rushnik or Rushnyk- Ukrainian embroidered decorative towel. In ancient times, the towel, embroidered with the relevant patterns, symbols, has been an inherent part of many ceremonies. For centuries it has the importance of figurative-symbolic significanc ...
W4507
25.05.2011
Second nature – A dystopian view into virtual farming - Aditi Ruiz
WWW
Second nature – A dystopian view into virtual farming There are 80 million urban farmers across the world, but they are farming virtually through social networks. What does this imply for the future of the farm? How is this reshaping our perception o ...
Second nature – A dystopian view into virtual farming There are 80 million urban farmers across the world, but they are farming virtually through social networks. What does this imply for the future of the farm? How is this reshaping our perception o ...
W5271
14.10.2012
Amanda Karlsson, Anton Bergendahl
WWW
During the fall of 2012, the swedish artist Amanda Karlsson and the swedish musician Anton Bergendahl has been working on a collaboration between music and art. They both grew up in small swedish cities with a strong desire towards something bigger... ...
During the fall of 2012, the swedish artist Amanda Karlsson and the swedish musician Anton Bergendahl has been working on a collaboration between music and art. They both grew up in small swedish cities with a strong desire towards something bigger... ...
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 ...
W5312
17.10.2012
Empire - Elena Dubrova
WWW
We would like to introduce to Your attention our short non embodied project. The project itself can be incarnate but his idea is reverse. We named it ‘Empire’. Project consist series of photo ( 5 pieces) and 1 gif. image. It consists awareness, ...
We would like to introduce to Your attention our short non embodied project. The project itself can be incarnate but his idea is reverse. We named it ‘Empire’. Project consist series of photo ( 5 pieces) and 1 gif. image. It consists awareness, ...