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.

PROPOSAL FOR SEATTLE ARTS COMMISSION, IN PUBLIC - Chris Burden

Engel-Detektor - Jakob Gautel & Jason Karaïndros

Project pour le parc de sculpture de Vassiviére - Paul-Armand Gette

Eight Days a Week - Joe Scanlan

Double Exposure 1995-6  - Dan Graham

Tulips for Amsterdam - Isa Genzken

Time Magazine Cover - Robert Rauschenberg

Temple of the western buddha (1971 Kathmedu) - Herman de Vries

Theater der Leere - Werner Ruhnau and Yves Klein

Grand Concours International D'Architecture  - Sol Lewitt

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W5424
20.10.2012
THE DIFFICULT INTERPRETATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC REALITY - Ulrich Bocker
WWW
THE DIFFICULT INTERPRETATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC REALITY For the innocent photography is the most obvious form of visual communication in the world. The pictured situation seems clear at first sight until we read the title or the legend underneath. An opt ...
THE DIFFICULT INTERPRETATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC REALITY For the innocent photography is the most obvious form of visual communication in the world. The pictured situation seems clear at first sight until we read the title or the legend underneath. An opt ...
W4705
26.05.2011
CORONA (Socket Set) - Lisa Hein
WWW
CORONA (Socket Set) is a temporary installation for an existing pair of lanterns. The first lantern functions normally, but has a swarm of empty light sockets covering its glass. The second lantern looks burnt out because the inside of its glass panels ...
CORONA (Socket Set) is a temporary installation for an existing pair of lanterns. The first lantern functions normally, but has a swarm of empty light sockets covering its glass. The second lantern looks burnt out because the inside of its glass panels ...
U9492
01.01.1996
"Ileana, I love you" - Maurizo Cattelan
Unbuilt Roads
1996 progetto "ilana, I love you" per la galleria Stefano Basilico di New York. Molte persone che conoscono Stefano Basilica per la sua galleria, conoscono anche che Stefano e' stato collaboratore per circa dieci anni alla galleria Sonnabend. Questo ...
1996 progetto "ilana, I love you" per la galleria Stefano Basilico di New York. Molte persone che conoscono Stefano Basilica per la sua galleria, conoscono anche che Stefano e' stato collaboratore per circa dieci anni alla galleria Sonnabend. Questo ...
U9268
24.02.1997
The lmprobable Flow - Larry Bell
Unbuilt Roads
Dear Hans: The most passionate times in the studio is the birth of a new idea. It gets all the juices that make being an artist flow. Sadly many wonderful ideas are not realized because one is in the wrong place at the wrong time. I chose to live a ...
Dear Hans: The most passionate times in the studio is the birth of a new idea. It gets all the juices that make being an artist flow. Sadly many wonderful ideas are not realized because one is in the wrong place at the wrong time. I chose to live a ...
W4083
23.05.2011
The Queen’s Sconce - Anna Walker
WWW
The Queen’s Sconce brief: to enhance the new Queen’s Sconce bridge, which was installed in summer 2010. The commission - to respond to the new bridge, the setting, Civil War History and the story of the Sconce itself. The existing design takes its ins ...
The Queen’s Sconce brief: to enhance the new Queen’s Sconce bridge, which was installed in summer 2010. The commission - to respond to the new bridge, the setting, Civil War History and the story of the Sconce itself. The existing design takes its ins ...
W5208
04.10.2012
Lure - Noa Nahari
WWW
Noa Nahari Name: Lure Year: 2013/4 Neo Marxism claims the media are a tool to handle capitalistic power that wishes to exploit the working class to earn more money. For example, communication channels will produce programs that specifically attract a ...
Noa Nahari Name: Lure Year: 2013/4 Neo Marxism claims the media are a tool to handle capitalistic power that wishes to exploit the working class to earn more money. For example, communication channels will produce programs that specifically attract a ...
W4726
26.05.2011
The Centralizer - Scott Richardson
WWW
The Centralizer The inspiration for this device came about to address the plight of the city-dweller trapped in a densely populated urban environment, who needed to decompress, ground themselves, and/or get in touch with nature and natural rhythms, a ...
The Centralizer The inspiration for this device came about to address the plight of the city-dweller trapped in a densely populated urban environment, who needed to decompress, ground themselves, and/or get in touch with nature and natural rhythms, a ...
W4230
24.05.2011
Monument for bridges. - Dico Kruijsse
WWW
Monument for bridges. Visuals of a monumental sculpture to be made out of the remains of two countryside bridges. A road of about 20 kilometres long was rebuild. Therefore as much as 50 bridges accessing the farmlands where taken apart and demolished. ...
Monument for bridges. Visuals of a monumental sculpture to be made out of the remains of two countryside bridges. A road of about 20 kilometres long was rebuild. Therefore as much as 50 bridges accessing the farmlands where taken apart and demolished. ...
W3595
13.05.2011
A Year of Tomorrows - Heman Chong
WWW
A Year of Tomorrows is a large scale public art work that will occur in New York over the time span of a year. 365 science fiction films will be selected and screened over 365 days over 365 locations in the city. In a nutshell, the project is formulated a ...
A Year of Tomorrows is a large scale public art work that will occur in New York over the time span of a year. 365 science fiction films will be selected and screened over 365 days over 365 locations in the city. In a nutshell, the project is formulated a ...
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 ...
W3868
19.05.2011
“The Good, The Bad, The Now” 350 word FRANKLIN FURNACE proposal - Chris Twomey
WWW
Using narrative structure that will engage potential viewers through the drama of the visual story telling, my project is essentially a visual memoir and performance piece with words. Using pre-determined amount of time, for instance 3 months, I will pub ...
Using narrative structure that will engage potential viewers through the drama of the visual story telling, my project is essentially a visual memoir and performance piece with words. Using pre-determined amount of time, for instance 3 months, I will pub ...
W5436
20.10.2012
the “A” project  - Khalil Charif
WWW
the A project A global action to unite people and make sound waves from ourselves to be heard anywhere in the world. Description: a sound wave that get people from everywhere in the world to say "a", at the same time, for as longer as they can, unli ...
the A project A global action to unite people and make sound waves from ourselves to be heard anywhere in the world. Description: a sound wave that get people from everywhere in the world to say "a", at the same time, for as longer as they can, unli ...
W4172
24.05.2011
The Neverending Fence - Tom Butler
WWW
Statement for The Agency Of Unrealized Projects I use found postcards as miniature environments for sinister and fantastical scenarios. These proposals are not intended be realized and are also distanced from us by the age of the postcard, the only pl ...
Statement for The Agency Of Unrealized Projects I use found postcards as miniature environments for sinister and fantastical scenarios. These proposals are not intended be realized and are also distanced from us by the age of the postcard, the only pl ...
W10936
22.06.2015
THORAX - Marion Inglessi
WWW
When we are sick, we are vulnerable. Increasingly assailed by medicine, we maintain a fearful and passive attitude towards our health and therapy, an attitude of hopeful expectation which often has an uncertain outcome. The Sotiria Project, Memory and ...
When we are sick, we are vulnerable. Increasingly assailed by medicine, we maintain a fearful and passive attitude towards our health and therapy, an attitude of hopeful expectation which often has an uncertain outcome. The Sotiria Project, Memory and ...
W4800
20.01.2012
Turf - IDADA Art Pavilion - Jeremy Tubbs
WWW
Turf - IDADA Art Pavilion Super Bowl weekend will coincide with the IDADA First Friday Art Tour on Friday February 3rd. The Indianapolis Downtown Artists and Dealers Association (IDADA) are hosting a unique, visual arts event and pavilion in downtown Ind ...
Turf - IDADA Art Pavilion Super Bowl weekend will coincide with the IDADA First Friday Art Tour on Friday February 3rd. The Indianapolis Downtown Artists and Dealers Association (IDADA) are hosting a unique, visual arts event and pavilion in downtown Ind ...
W5402
20.10.2012
AHIMSA  - Tiziana Pers
WWW
The project is composed by a series of photograph, a performance, and an installation that will remain after the action. Ahimsa is an ancient Sanskrit term meaning 'do not harm' (literally: the avoidance of violence - himsa). It is an important tenet of t ...
The project is composed by a series of photograph, a performance, and an installation that will remain after the action. Ahimsa is an ancient Sanskrit term meaning 'do not harm' (literally: the avoidance of violence - himsa). It is an important tenet of t ...
W4189
24.05.2011
“What It’s Gonna Take“ - Anne Herzblut
WWW
“What It’s Gonna Take“ An installation about death, time and consumption The initial point fort this installation are thoughts about a very common place: about my own death. The question is: HOW MANY things and HOW MUCH I will need until I die ...
“What It’s Gonna Take“ An installation about death, time and consumption The initial point fort this installation are thoughts about a very common place: about my own death. The question is: HOW MANY things and HOW MUCH I will need until I die ...
W5214
06.10.2012
Pentahedrices - Stephen Da Lay
WWW
Stephen M. Da Lay has met the requirements for the Marjorie Schiele Prize. He received his BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1989, and his work has been shown nationally and internationally. Stephen’s work has been exhibited at 2nd Penang I ...
Stephen M. Da Lay has met the requirements for the Marjorie Schiele Prize. He received his BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1989, and his work has been shown nationally and internationally. Stephen’s work has been exhibited at 2nd Penang I ...
W10320
17.04.2014
TAU - Jugoslav Mitevski, Frances Scholz, Sarah Steiner
WWW
Request: A building conglomerate approached us* with the request to bring to life again a vacancy in a critically endangered street. Proposal: Inspired by Buckminster Fuller‘s ideas of provoking “change of directions” by creating a vacuum we pr ...
Request: A building conglomerate approached us* with the request to bring to life again a vacancy in a critically endangered street. Proposal: Inspired by Buckminster Fuller‘s ideas of provoking “change of directions” by creating a vacuum we pr ...
W3665
15.05.2011
DENKMAL FUR FREIHEIT UND EINHEIT BERLIN  - Irene Judong
WWW
Die Idee: Die Idee ist ein Park, der für die Bevölkerung zugänglich ist und insbesondere auch für kleine Kinder und Rollstuhlfahrer geeignet ist. Im Zentrum des Parks befinden sich ein Teich und eine Skulptur (vgl. Abbildungen). Das Konzept: “E ...
Die Idee: Die Idee ist ein Park, der für die Bevölkerung zugänglich ist und insbesondere auch für kleine Kinder und Rollstuhlfahrer geeignet ist. Im Zentrum des Parks befinden sich ein Teich und eine Skulptur (vgl. Abbildungen). Das Konzept: “E ...
W5236
09.10.2012
Dislocations - Iain McPherson
WWW
Object: To create a system of signage which illustrates and informs city centre travellers. Areas are colour coded and image coded according to local history and culture. Works are wall mounted and 3 dimensional. Project could be self-funded by u ...
Object: To create a system of signage which illustrates and informs city centre travellers. Areas are colour coded and image coded according to local history and culture. Works are wall mounted and 3 dimensional. Project could be self-funded by u ...
W4687
26.05.2011
August Ventimiglia
WWW
An action to be executed in a large open area. "Common red building brick units stacked then tossed outward to form scatter -- stacked units at center -- scatter dissipates. Survey grid laid over scatter. Create drawings of scatter then collect bricks at ...
An action to be executed in a large open area. "Common red building brick units stacked then tossed outward to form scatter -- stacked units at center -- scatter dissipates. Survey grid laid over scatter. Create drawings of scatter then collect bricks at ...
U9869
01.01.1997
"Free Space" - Michelangelo Pistoletto
Unbuilt Roads
Large cage of iron rods without any entrance. A tag is fastened, outside, in the middle of each of the four sides, saying "The Free Space". "Free Space" From the book "100 exhibitions in the month of October" 1976; Recipe n. 90 Pistoletto ...
Large cage of iron rods without any entrance. A tag is fastened, outside, in the middle of each of the four sides, saying "The Free Space". "Free Space" From the book "100 exhibitions in the month of October" 1976; Recipe n. 90 Pistoletto ...
U9913
01.01.1974
654 THINGS from The United States - Edward Ruscha
Unbuilt Roads
This was a proposal for the Defense Urban Development area in the city of Paris. The work, which takes on the appearance of a monument, would consist of stone or marble plates, bolted together to create a weather proof box-shaped container, housing shelve ...
This was a proposal for the Defense Urban Development area in the city of Paris. The work, which takes on the appearance of a monument, would consist of stone or marble plates, bolted together to create a weather proof box-shaped container, housing shelve ...
W5468
21.10.2012
Sweet Auburn Multiscape - Alex Kerr
WWW
This contains a proposal for the Sweet Auburn Multiscape. It is a steel sculpture that mimics the skyline seen in the Sweet Auburn district in Atlanta over 40 years ago. The purpose of this piece is to reactivate the neglected neighborhood by calling atte ...
This contains a proposal for the Sweet Auburn Multiscape. It is a steel sculpture that mimics the skyline seen in the Sweet Auburn district in Atlanta over 40 years ago. The purpose of this piece is to reactivate the neglected neighborhood by calling atte ...
U9936
23.01.1997
Messages to the Public - Nancy Spero
Unbuilt Roads
Dear Hans-Ulrich, Thank you for inviting me to participate in "Unbuilt Worlds - unrealized artist-projects". Sounds terrific. In 1986 I was invited to participate in a program called "Messages to the Public". The invited artists would be given a 30- ...
Dear Hans-Ulrich, Thank you for inviting me to participate in "Unbuilt Worlds - unrealized artist-projects". Sounds terrific. In 1986 I was invited to participate in a program called "Messages to the Public". The invited artists would be given a 30- ...