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.

Relatum (Iron Plate and Stone) - Lee Ufan

Aguapracasa - Gabriel Orozco

"400" - Manfred Pernice

Time Magazine Cover - Robert Rauschenberg

Isometric Projection - Sol Lewitt

Prima del 73 - Fabio Mauri

Double Exposure 1995-6  - Dan Graham

Theater der Leere - Werner Ruhnau and Yves Klein

Visual Poem: Cap I Cua - Joan Brossa

Making for Art - 100 Unsucceeded Presentation - 1995, 1996,  - Yutaka Sone

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4153
23.05.2011
Unrealized Projects 1997 —2002 - Cornford & Cross
WWW
For us, a key function of contemporary art in an open society is to test concepts, assumptions and boundaries. One way we do this is through making site-specific work in public places; our projects are often satirical or polemic in nature, and involve a d ...
For us, a key function of contemporary art in an open society is to test concepts, assumptions and boundaries. One way we do this is through making site-specific work in public places; our projects are often satirical or polemic in nature, and involve a d ...
W4994
30.08.2012
democraticrain.net - c a l c (omi - Thomas Scheiderbauer)
WWW
democraticrain.net is based on the idea of giving a “printed voice” to people in a concrete context on the interface between inside > < outside and the individual > < collective. it allows to create and send black and white A4-statements or -images t ...
democraticrain.net is based on the idea of giving a “printed voice” to people in a concrete context on the interface between inside > < outside and the individual > < collective. it allows to create and send black and white A4-statements or -images t ...
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. ...
W5369
19.10.2012
University of Toledo
Centennial Mall Legacy - Stephen Canneto
WWW
Progney, Competition winning proposal the the University of Toledo, Ohio's public art program. Progeny is inspired by the University of Toledo’s Legacy program. The sculpture’s site engendered forms, materials, location and functions reflect the U ...
Progney, Competition winning proposal the the University of Toledo, Ohio's public art program. Progeny is inspired by the University of Toledo’s Legacy program. The sculpture’s site engendered forms, materials, location and functions reflect the U ...
W4756
27.05.2011
“Collectors” Series - Soo Kim
WWW
Unfinished and ongoing project called "Collectors" -all kinds of things and creatures are collected, and create a melody and tune. Initial idea for “Collectors” series started after thinking how we miss unnoticeable things around surroundings, and th ...
Unfinished and ongoing project called "Collectors" -all kinds of things and creatures are collected, and create a melody and tune. Initial idea for “Collectors” series started after thinking how we miss unnoticeable things around surroundings, and th ...
W3899
20.05.2011
SIN TITULO - Daniela Huerta
WWW
SIN TITULO Nails, wall, dust and red thread. Dimensions variable 2010 This is a project that perhaps was never intended to be realized. It was rather an action and a documentation of it. The beginning and the end is the wall, as it works as a state ...
SIN TITULO Nails, wall, dust and red thread. Dimensions variable 2010 This is a project that perhaps was never intended to be realized. It was rather an action and a documentation of it. The beginning and the end is the wall, as it works as a state ...
W3772
18.05.2011
Mirek Lumens Proposal 2007, Mirek Chicago Proposal 2006 - Robert Mirek
WWW
Mirek Lumens Proposal 2007 Mirek Chicago Proposal 2006 ...
Mirek Lumens Proposal 2007 Mirek Chicago Proposal 2006 ...
W4038
22.05.2011
Les dessous de Môtiers - Jacqueline Benz
WWW
Les dessous de Môtiers Le toit est soulevé par une grue, 80 cm d’intervalle marquent l’écart entre le bâtiment et le toit. Les pans du toit ont l’air de flotter un peu au-dessus de la maison, dans une légère mise en mouvement. Rien n’est ...
Les dessous de Môtiers Le toit est soulevé par une grue, 80 cm d’intervalle marquent l’écart entre le bâtiment et le toit. Les pans du toit ont l’air de flotter un peu au-dessus de la maison, dans une légère mise en mouvement. Rien n’est ...
W4487
25.05.2011
lori brown
WWW
The wificommune is a retro-fitted environmentally sustainable bus providing social services for the Seneca Nation communities in Upstate New York. Using solar power as a source of energy, this bus is designed to provide internet connections, a classroom ...
The wificommune is a retro-fitted environmentally sustainable bus providing social services for the Seneca Nation communities in Upstate New York. Using solar power as a source of energy, this bus is designed to provide internet connections, a classroom ...
W4269
24.05.2011
Untitled,  - Ye Qin Zhu
WWW
Untitled, In my wallet, main flap front pocket and in the back of my NYS Driver's license, there is a card with a note on it: (Front side) In my time of death, give this card to an English speaking close relative or friend. (Back side) To the receiv ...
Untitled, In my wallet, main flap front pocket and in the back of my NYS Driver's license, there is a card with a note on it: (Front side) In my time of death, give this card to an English speaking close relative or friend. (Back side) To the receiv ...
D10827
09.09.2012
Stajuda - Katarzyna Kozyra
DAAD
When my professor from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, who was a very important person for me, was dying in the same hospital where my father died I got the idea to sit naked on a naked dead body and play on a harpsichord. Stajuda, that was his name, ...
When my professor from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, who was a very important person for me, was dying in the same hospital where my father died I got the idea to sit naked on a naked dead body and play on a harpsichord. Stajuda, that was his name, ...
W4894
10.08.2012
The Wave - Mac Adams
WWW
'The Wave' 1989. Proposal for the Merchant marines memorial off shore Battery Park New York City. More information can be found on. macadamsstudio.com ...
'The Wave' 1989. Proposal for the Merchant marines memorial off shore Battery Park New York City. More information can be found on. macadamsstudio.com ...
W3510
11.05.2011
Urban Noir/L.A-NY - Helen K. Garber
WWW
Urban Noir/L.A-NY Noir – a feeling, mood, a sur-reality. The dark blanket of night softens the ugliness of the big city—the one called Los Angeles. Natural beauty ruined by three generations of cheap stucco housing and vast urban sprawl. Even the str ...
Urban Noir/L.A-NY Noir – a feeling, mood, a sur-reality. The dark blanket of night softens the ugliness of the big city—the one called Los Angeles. Natural beauty ruined by three generations of cheap stucco housing and vast urban sprawl. Even the str ...
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 ...
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, ...
W5185
30.09.2012
White Cube Research - Pascal Unbehaun
WWW
WHITE CUBE RESEARCH aims to set up a full operative institute for theoretical research in an exhibition context. The researchers are asked to gather in a small building, the white cube (or just in an office-like setup) inside an art exhibition. ...
WHITE CUBE RESEARCH aims to set up a full operative institute for theoretical research in an exhibition context. The researchers are asked to gather in a small building, the white cube (or just in an office-like setup) inside an art exhibition. ...
W3970
21.05.2011
SUNNY - Fang Di
WWW
SUNNY | Video, Installation | 1:44 Project Introduction: Sunny, one of my friends, always acts weirdly. I call this Sunny Phenomenon. And this phenomenon can be widely seen nowadays. For example, due to heavy working pressure, people are forced to par ...
SUNNY | Video, Installation | 1:44 Project Introduction: Sunny, one of my friends, always acts weirdly. I call this Sunny Phenomenon. And this phenomenon can be widely seen nowadays. For example, due to heavy working pressure, people are forced to par ...
W4106
23.05.2011
"Grandes Toilettes de Ville" - Eddy Falconer
WWW
from Daphne Drillo in the Ecstasy of the Opposite Dimension: A Space Lesbian Adventure “Dr. Roper insisted on the merits of programmability in the context of long distance communication, and especially in guerilla warfare. FIVE HUNDRED YEARS OF MU ...
from Daphne Drillo in the Ecstasy of the Opposite Dimension: A Space Lesbian Adventure “Dr. Roper insisted on the merits of programmability in the context of long distance communication, and especially in guerilla warfare. FIVE HUNDRED YEARS OF MU ...
W5275
15.10.2012
You, Are Not You, You Are Me…No Shit - Beth Emily Richards
WWW
You, Are Not You, You Are Me…No Shit Beth Emily Richards www.bethemilyrichards.com All the Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonators in the world race each other on a military air assault obstacle course. The Arnie impersonator that comes last in the rou ...
You, Are Not You, You Are Me…No Shit Beth Emily Richards www.bethemilyrichards.com All the Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonators in the world race each other on a military air assault obstacle course. The Arnie impersonator that comes last in the rou ...
W5088
10.09.2012
Reversed Tower of Babel - Jacek Dziubiński
WWW
Jacek Dziubiński REVERSED TOWER OF BABEL PLACE: Platz der Republik, Berlin, Germany IDEA: As described in the Bible (Genesis), for an attempt to enter the heaven and the sin of pride God mixed up languages of builders of the Tower of Babel. A ...
Jacek Dziubiński REVERSED TOWER OF BABEL PLACE: Platz der Republik, Berlin, Germany IDEA: As described in the Bible (Genesis), for an attempt to enter the heaven and the sin of pride God mixed up languages of builders of the Tower of Babel. A ...
W3537
11.05.2011
‘Against the fall’ - Sarah Luedemann
WWW
Project outline (Version Ia): ‘Against the fall’ consists of a fully functioning white parachute and about 300 (or more) A4 rejection letters from art students and artists worldwide, which are printed onto the parachute. The parachute as such is ...
Project outline (Version Ia): ‘Against the fall’ consists of a fully functioning white parachute and about 300 (or more) A4 rejection letters from art students and artists worldwide, which are printed onto the parachute. The parachute as such is ...
W5342
18.10.2012
JEANNE TRIPIER JEANNE D'ARC - Paul Amlehn
WWW
Hi. My name is Paul Amlehn. My previous work has been exhibited at Art Basel and the Venice Biennale, and is held in the collections of MoMA, ZKM, and documenta archives. The work I am submitting is an outline for a performance work that was never realize ...
Hi. My name is Paul Amlehn. My previous work has been exhibited at Art Basel and the Venice Biennale, and is held in the collections of MoMA, ZKM, and documenta archives. The work I am submitting is an outline for a performance work that was never realize ...
W5218
07.10.2012
Batta Mon - OKAMOTO Mitsuhiro
WWW
In this case, I mean unaccomplished exhibition period as 'unrealized project'. After the show started, Louis Vuitton has asked KOBE FASHION MUSEUM to stop showing my artwork 'Batta Mon', to stop selling the show catalog and also to remove the show poster ...
In this case, I mean unaccomplished exhibition period as 'unrealized project'. After the show started, Louis Vuitton has asked KOBE FASHION MUSEUM to stop showing my artwork 'Batta Mon', to stop selling the show catalog and also to remove the show poster ...
W4571
25.05.2011
Argh! - Paco Contreras
WWW
Tilted Argh! Since its inception the Roman civilization had exalted its leaders. Rome had always awaited the arrival of good news from its generals with great concern; in hope of securing protection of the Empire. The Romans were tremendously respect ...
Tilted Argh! Since its inception the Roman civilization had exalted its leaders. Rome had always awaited the arrival of good news from its generals with great concern; in hope of securing protection of the Empire. The Romans were tremendously respect ...
W3856
19.05.2011
THE SISTER COMPLEX - Jacob Stewart-Halevy
WWW
The Sister Complex is a film script written for captive audiences on Virgin America flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The forty minute length of the film is meant to correspond to the amount of time a traveler would have to watch their personal s ...
The Sister Complex is a film script written for captive audiences on Virgin America flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The forty minute length of the film is meant to correspond to the amount of time a traveler would have to watch their personal s ...
W3661
15.05.2011
Efrat Kedem
WWW
Project description All over the world there are bus stops, They serves us as buildings for a fleeting moment, a man passes them and wait some time before the bus arrives, then, continues on his way, We stand or sit in stations for a few minutes, some ...
Project description All over the world there are bus stops, They serves us as buildings for a fleeting moment, a man passes them and wait some time before the bus arrives, then, continues on his way, We stand or sit in stations for a few minutes, some ...