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.

Time Magazine Cover - Robert Rauschenberg

My House - Uri Tzaig

Untitled, modeled after the Leipzig Völkerschlachtdenkmal...  - Jenny Holzer

Cruzeiro Do Sul, (Southern Cross) (Crucero del Sur) 1969-70* - Cildo Meireles

MODELL OF AN OFFICE FOR A COUPLE OF TWINS, BOTH 1,38 TALL" - Tobias Rehrenberg

Proposal for a permanent video installation for the NYC headquarters of Sony Corporation - Dara Birnbaum

Relatum (Iron Plate and Stone) - Lee Ufan

Projets non réalisés: - Daniel Buren

Passage - Richard Wentworth

The insurer - Fabrice Hybert

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4323
24.05.2011
MAD HATTER’S WORKSHOP  - Valery Koroshilov
WWW
MAD HATTER’S WORKSHOP The Concept Observing Lowry’s paintings I have noticed his people very often wear hats. I went on to address this theme. A hat, a helmet, a beret, a cap, a scarf, a hood, a crown. What are the messages they convey today i ...
MAD HATTER’S WORKSHOP The Concept Observing Lowry’s paintings I have noticed his people very often wear hats. I went on to address this theme. A hat, a helmet, a beret, a cap, a scarf, a hood, a crown. What are the messages they convey today i ...
W3996
21.05.2011
Jana Leo de blas
WWW
SEX-ROOM / SEX BOOTH-Jana Leo-2001 Where is the Sex-Room? Straight to the end on your right. A table for ironing, a room for bath, another for the bed, a dinning-table, a Laundromat a place for the laundry, an exercise facility: a gym….Space named by ...
SEX-ROOM / SEX BOOTH-Jana Leo-2001 Where is the Sex-Room? Straight to the end on your right. A table for ironing, a room for bath, another for the bed, a dinning-table, a Laundromat a place for the laundry, an exercise facility: a gym….Space named by ...
W3726
17.05.2011
Time Share - Elizabeth Rywelski
WWW
TIME SHARE is a performance and a play on a consumer model within a time share sales experience as seen through basic design principles of the Alternate Reality Game and the basic principles of Consumer Theory. In TIME SHARE we will look at how in an Alte ...
TIME SHARE is a performance and a play on a consumer model within a time share sales experience as seen through basic design principles of the Alternate Reality Game and the basic principles of Consumer Theory. In TIME SHARE we will look at how in an Alte ...
W5358
19.10.2012
Tweetwalk Marathon - Alban Low
WWW
The Olympics are outdated and not suited to our modern lives. We need a new breed of sports to prepare our children for the rigors of multitasking in a social media astute world. Join us on the first ever tweetwalk marathon. Warm those fingers and thumbs ...
The Olympics are outdated and not suited to our modern lives. We need a new breed of sports to prepare our children for the rigors of multitasking in a social media astute world. Join us on the first ever tweetwalk marathon. Warm those fingers and thumbs ...
W5126
18.09.2012
Porn I (Zootropo - Juan Alvarez-Durán
WWW
Porn (Part One) ‐ Zoetrope Continually subvert the function of the machine Nan Yun Paik There is a natural sense of the world, but those ways that men have given their perceptions. Jean Mitry The dictionary defines zoetrope. (Zoo‐and gr. Τρόπος ...
Porn (Part One) ‐ Zoetrope Continually subvert the function of the machine Nan Yun Paik There is a natural sense of the world, but those ways that men have given their perceptions. Jean Mitry The dictionary defines zoetrope. (Zoo‐and gr. Τρόπος ...
W4908
13.08.2012
A collateral time. - Annalisa Furnari
WWW
A collateral time. Two videoinstallations: screening of two movies archive reprocessed in postproduction. In relation to each video, two sculptural installations: A base of white cement on where it is deposited a mat black mattress A volcanic mono ...
A collateral time. Two videoinstallations: screening of two movies archive reprocessed in postproduction. In relation to each video, two sculptural installations: A base of white cement on where it is deposited a mat black mattress A volcanic mono ...
W3622
14.05.2011
SIGHT UNSEEN - Marcy B. Freedman
WWW
“Message to curators: Whatever you’re doing right now, do something else next.” Roberta Smith (New York Times, February 14, 2010) THE CONCEPT: SIGHT UNSEEN is intended to challenge traditional notions of curatorial practice. The project establis ...
“Message to curators: Whatever you’re doing right now, do something else next.” Roberta Smith (New York Times, February 14, 2010) THE CONCEPT: SIGHT UNSEEN is intended to challenge traditional notions of curatorial practice. The project establis ...
W3677
15.05.2011
Broken Monumen - ESTHER ACHAERANDIO
WWW
Broken Monument Mixed Media. 8x8x18cm. 2011. Broken Monument takes part of a projects that I was working on for pleasure since 2001. While this works is comprised of a diferent of mediums, they do not aim to ladder up to a singular thesis. That sai ...
Broken Monument Mixed Media. 8x8x18cm. 2011. Broken Monument takes part of a projects that I was working on for pleasure since 2001. While this works is comprised of a diferent of mediums, they do not aim to ladder up to a singular thesis. That sai ...
W5091
10.09.2012
Hortus d'Epe - Harald Schole
WWW
Hortus d'Epe An innovative artproject related to new infrastructure in Epe. Commission CBK Arnhem and the city Epe 2005, proposal exhibition in CBK Arnhem titled 'the idea generator' Some old mansions nearby have beautiful French gardens. A ne ...
Hortus d'Epe An innovative artproject related to new infrastructure in Epe. Commission CBK Arnhem and the city Epe 2005, proposal exhibition in CBK Arnhem titled 'the idea generator' Some old mansions nearby have beautiful French gardens. A ne ...
W4707
26.05.2011
Dear Earth - Lisa Hein and Robert Seng
WWW
DEAR EARTH Proposal for a Construction Fence 2007 DEAR is a salutation to strangers and intimates alike. The word began all written communication in English at one time. Now that friendly discourse travels electronically, the word DEAR is reserved ...
DEAR EARTH Proposal for a Construction Fence 2007 DEAR is a salutation to strangers and intimates alike. The word began all written communication in English at one time. Now that friendly discourse travels electronically, the word DEAR is reserved ...
W10630
09.07.2014
Stitch In Time - Joel Leibowitz
WWW
20 Foot High x 12 foot circumference Spool of Thread; 3" foam core thread / yellow/ aluminum spool . The large spool of thread is positioned next to Cleopatra's "Needle" ( obelisk ) in Central Park , NYC. Location behind Metropolitan Museum of Art. ...
20 Foot High x 12 foot circumference Spool of Thread; 3" foam core thread / yellow/ aluminum spool . The large spool of thread is positioned next to Cleopatra's "Needle" ( obelisk ) in Central Park , NYC. Location behind Metropolitan Museum of Art. ...
W4511
25.05.2011
Big Pending Coloured Glass Pipe Organ - Tina Braegger
WWW
Big Pending Coloured Glass Pipe Organ (Unrealized, Mai 2011) (50m x 36m x 18m Pending Coloured Glass Pipe Organ, Uyuni salt desert, Bolivia) What (form): It has long since been an idea of mine to build a big pending pipe organ out of co ...
Big Pending Coloured Glass Pipe Organ (Unrealized, Mai 2011) (50m x 36m x 18m Pending Coloured Glass Pipe Organ, Uyuni salt desert, Bolivia) What (form): It has long since been an idea of mine to build a big pending pipe organ out of co ...
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 ...
W4232
24.05.2011
Framing al-Zarqawi - Nicholas Knight
WWW
Nicholas Knight Framing al-Zarqawi, 2006 Mixed media installation, including framed photographs, podium, US and Iraqi flags, rugs, easels, curtain, furniture, etc. Size determined by installation [never realized] In June 2006, US-led forces in Ir ...
Nicholas Knight Framing al-Zarqawi, 2006 Mixed media installation, including framed photographs, podium, US and Iraqi flags, rugs, easels, curtain, furniture, etc. Size determined by installation [never realized] In June 2006, US-led forces in Ir ...
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 ...
U9303
01.06.1990
PROPOSAL FOR SEATTLE ARTS COMMISSION, IN PUBLIC - Chris Burden
Unbuilt Roads
I propose that a typical working fisherman's boat 30 to 50 feet in length be attached to the side of the new Seattle Art Museum building. The boat's bow would point skyward, it's keel resting along one side of the building . A cable from the roof to the b ...
I propose that a typical working fisherman's boat 30 to 50 feet in length be attached to the side of the new Seattle Art Museum building. The boat's bow would point skyward, it's keel resting along one side of the building . A cable from the roof to the b ...
U9833
01.01.1977
Square Depression - Bruce Nauman
Unbuilt Roads
Geplanter Standort: Naturwissenschaftliches Zentrum der Westfälischen Wilhelmsuniversität, Münster Material: Betonguß Maße: Tiefe 2,30 m, Breite 25,0 m, Länge 25,0 m Note The piece is a rhomboid square depres­sion with the p ...
Geplanter Standort: Naturwissenschaftliches Zentrum der Westfälischen Wilhelmsuniversität, Münster Material: Betonguß Maße: Tiefe 2,30 m, Breite 25,0 m, Länge 25,0 m Note The piece is a rhomboid square depres­sion with the p ...
W3838
19.05.2011
Nicole Mortiboys
WWW
The images submitted to AUP are pages taken from a book on how to draw cartoons. (The title of the book has been forgotten). The book was found at Central Library, whilst studying on the MA fine Art course at, Birmingham City University, Margaret S ...
The images submitted to AUP are pages taken from a book on how to draw cartoons. (The title of the book has been forgotten). The book was found at Central Library, whilst studying on the MA fine Art course at, Birmingham City University, Margaret S ...
W5153
24.09.2012
Internal Painting Valuable gift - James Eisen
WWW
Among my recent Project Internal Painting Valuable gift, I examined forms of knowledge and Power, the transference of idea to object from one work to another. These works sit within a wider strategy of enacting associative thought into form. More directly ...
Among my recent Project Internal Painting Valuable gift, I examined forms of knowledge and Power, the transference of idea to object from one work to another. These works sit within a wider strategy of enacting associative thought into form. More directly ...
W5439
20.10.2012
Alkis Hadjiandreou
WWW
There were many ends within the British ‘end of empire’, just as the people who had lived under its sway faced a 'rich assortment of futures'... Unlike the full panoply of decolonization celebrations which had been pioneered in India.... ...
There were many ends within the British ‘end of empire’, just as the people who had lived under its sway faced a 'rich assortment of futures'... Unlike the full panoply of decolonization celebrations which had been pioneered in India.... ...
W5417
20.10.2012
Untitled - Rachel Alliston
WWW
This untitled project was for a temporary installation in London’s Gordon Square. It was planned over the course of ten months by Rachel Alliston and Laura Weatherly. Before starting work on building the piece, Alliston and Weatherly made an exhibition ...
This untitled project was for a temporary installation in London’s Gordon Square. It was planned over the course of ten months by Rachel Alliston and Laura Weatherly. Before starting work on building the piece, Alliston and Weatherly made an exhibition ...
W4558
25.05.2011
rezaafsari
WWW
U9726
01.01.1971
KEEPING IN TOUCH - Allan Kaprow
Unbuilt Roads
A global network of simultaneously transmitting and receiving " TV Arcades." Open to the public twenty-four hours a day, like any washerette. An arcade in every big city of the world. Each equipped with a hundred or more monitors of different sizes from a ...
A global network of simultaneously transmitting and receiving " TV Arcades." Open to the public twenty-four hours a day, like any washerette. An arcade in every big city of the world. Each equipped with a hundred or more monitors of different sizes from a ...
W10717
11.09.2014
Parallelle Projekte in der Stadt Münster, 1997 - Nicolaisen Terje
WWW
At my final year in the Academy I went to Münster to show my projects with Yellow Light. Should I wait till I am 60 to be invited or just go to the party uninvited? Kasper König made it clear to me in his office at Landesmuseum that this was a private p ...
At my final year in the Academy I went to Münster to show my projects with Yellow Light. Should I wait till I am 60 to be invited or just go to the party uninvited? Kasper König made it clear to me in his office at Landesmuseum that this was a private p ...
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 ...
W5080
06.09.2012
Urban Void 05  - Toornend & Post
WWW
Urban Void 05 (Villa), Am Grossen Wannsee, Berlin (D) 2006 (lambdaprint 1665×4190 pixels) Urban Voids offer spatial relief, unexpected views and twisted collective memories by the apparently simple act of removal; Urban Voids are architectures antipod ...
Urban Void 05 (Villa), Am Grossen Wannsee, Berlin (D) 2006 (lambdaprint 1665×4190 pixels) Urban Voids offer spatial relief, unexpected views and twisted collective memories by the apparently simple act of removal; Urban Voids are architectures antipod ...