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.

"400" - Manfred Pernice

Unrealized project for Tate Gallery + ICA, 1969 - Gilbert and George

The pyramids...to be seen to be believed - Jonathan Monk

Projet pour la Place Saint Léger à Chambery  - Erik Dietman

Grand Concours International D'Architecture  - Mahe Gilles

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

Der New-Babyloner - Constant

The World is a Theater and we each have a role - Louise Bourgeois

Isometric Projection - Sol Lewitt

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

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W5284
16.10.2012
Natalia Ludmila
WWW
The project was based on the realisation of a certain number of dérives throughout the city-state of Singapore, in which an extensive visual and sound documentation would be carried out. This material consecutively was to be used to reconstruct the ci ...
The project was based on the realisation of a certain number of dérives throughout the city-state of Singapore, in which an extensive visual and sound documentation would be carried out. This material consecutively was to be used to reconstruct the ci ...
W3552
12.05.2011
THE SECOND LIFE MARTYRS SHOW! - margherita isola
WWW
Thanks an experience of life at the Freedom Theatre of Jenin with the kids of the refugee camp, I decide to start this project about Palestinian people and their martyrs. The Second Life martyrs show!is an alternative utopia to the violence that people ...
Thanks an experience of life at the Freedom Theatre of Jenin with the kids of the refugee camp, I decide to start this project about Palestinian people and their martyrs. The Second Life martyrs show!is an alternative utopia to the violence that people ...
W5233
08.10.2012
Surface Enlightenment - Bill Vielehr
WWW
Titled "Surface Enlightenment," this piece consists of two wall reliefs, each of which is 4' high x 30' long x 4" deep. They are made of cast & fabricated aluminum with highly reflective textured surfaces. Bill Vielehr PO Box 19734 Boulder, CO 80308-27 ...
Titled "Surface Enlightenment," this piece consists of two wall reliefs, each of which is 4' high x 30' long x 4" deep. They are made of cast & fabricated aluminum with highly reflective textured surfaces. Bill Vielehr PO Box 19734 Boulder, CO 80308-27 ...
W5294
16.10.2012
Western Gateway to Iowa - Andrew Leicester
WWW
Western Gateway to Iowa – The Energy State Iowa is the largest US producer of corn which is increasing devoted to ethanol production. Iowa is also a leader in wind power generation especially in the western edges of the state. Iowa’s most famous ...
Western Gateway to Iowa – The Energy State Iowa is the largest US producer of corn which is increasing devoted to ethanol production. Iowa is also a leader in wind power generation especially in the western edges of the state. Iowa’s most famous ...
W3606
13.05.2011
Recent Work Not Done - Buzz Spector
WWW
Date: 13 May 2011 To: The Agency of Unrealized Projects From: Buzz Spector RE: Recent Work Not Done My unrealized project is an artists’ book compilation of every artmaking idea or curatorial proposition I have had since 1972, but which ...
Date: 13 May 2011 To: The Agency of Unrealized Projects From: Buzz Spector RE: Recent Work Not Done My unrealized project is an artists’ book compilation of every artmaking idea or curatorial proposition I have had since 1972, but which ...
W5117
17.09.2012
Cliff Dwelling - Adam Kuby
WWW
Proposal for a sculpture that provides nesting habitat for peregrine falcons in a skyscraper. Adam Kuby, Artis t adam@adamkuby.com www.adamkuby.com 7019 SE Morrison St. Portland, OR 97215 (503) 752-5241 Call for Unrealized Projects Submission Cliff ...
Proposal for a sculpture that provides nesting habitat for peregrine falcons in a skyscraper. Adam Kuby, Artis t adam@adamkuby.com www.adamkuby.com 7019 SE Morrison St. Portland, OR 97215 (503) 752-5241 Call for Unrealized Projects Submission Cliff ...
W4309
24.05.2011
“Face2 eyes spin” - dineo seshee bopape
WWW
“Face2 eyes spin” is a 4 seconds video sketch- without sound, of a face whirling in itself….almost like a rabbit hole of sorts…the beginning of something…sketch was made for inclusion in a video, it was supposed to have been part of a bigger vid ...
“Face2 eyes spin” is a 4 seconds video sketch- without sound, of a face whirling in itself….almost like a rabbit hole of sorts…the beginning of something…sketch was made for inclusion in a video, it was supposed to have been part of a bigger vid ...
W3612
13.05.2011
Gonna Make you Sweat (2008) - Divya Mehra
WWW
Filmed & edited (2007-2008) during Columbia University's planned expansion in Harlem, Gonna Make you Sweat (2008) had big plans to rival Harlem's monolithic neighborhood endorsements. The work teeters within a space of uncertainty; does it function as a ...
Filmed & edited (2007-2008) during Columbia University's planned expansion in Harlem, Gonna Make you Sweat (2008) had big plans to rival Harlem's monolithic neighborhood endorsements. The work teeters within a space of uncertainty; does it function as a ...
W4004
22.05.2011
Masked Police Car  - OKAMOTO Mitsuhiro
WWW
I have series works 'Masked Police Car' 'Masked Police Car' is the Japanese slang term for Secret Police Car. It shows covering a specific type of common car with Police Car designed car-cover. For example, you could see the car covering UK Police Car ...
I have series works 'Masked Police Car' 'Masked Police Car' is the Japanese slang term for Secret Police Car. It shows covering a specific type of common car with Police Car designed car-cover. For example, you could see the car covering UK Police Car ...
U9997
16.01.1997
Nicht realisierte Projekte - Stefan Demary
Unbuilt Roads
Lieber Hans - Ulrich! Nochmals Danke für die nette Einlandung. In dem Buch, Meine normale Arbeitsweine mit meine künstlerischen Ideen for laufend auf listen zu schreiben. Diese werden zum Teil Jahre später erst realisiert, allendings zählt als jah ...
Lieber Hans - Ulrich! Nochmals Danke für die nette Einlandung. In dem Buch, Meine normale Arbeitsweine mit meine künstlerischen Ideen for laufend auf listen zu schreiben. Diese werden zum Teil Jahre später erst realisiert, allendings zählt als jah ...
W10194
07.04.2014
Making A Point - Joel Leibowitz
WWW
Location : fenced Inner perimeter Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir Central Park New York City ; 110 watt mil spec lasers, 400 mirror placements around perimeter of reservoir, center of reservoir 20 beams, array trays 76 degree angle of beams, hgt. ...
Location : fenced Inner perimeter Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir Central Park New York City ; 110 watt mil spec lasers, 400 mirror placements around perimeter of reservoir, center of reservoir 20 beams, array trays 76 degree angle of beams, hgt. ...
W10185
04.04.2014
Robot Building Museum Shop from MCA to DIA - Maymay Jumsai
WWW
My proposal is to make a museum shop for the Robot Building my father designed. I’m asian, I have a strong family value. The Robot Building was part of the project ‘City on the Move’, that went to Venice Biennale in 1996. We had to pay for the ship ...
My proposal is to make a museum shop for the Robot Building my father designed. I’m asian, I have a strong family value. The Robot Building was part of the project ‘City on the Move’, that went to Venice Biennale in 1996. We had to pay for the ship ...
W4090
23.05.2011
Wrong Satelite Information News  - Stefano W. Pasquini
WWW
This is a series of a project titled "UNREALIZEABLE PROJECTS 1994-2015" that I started in 1994 out of the frustration of not being able to realize some of the installation I wanted to make, out of lack of funds. At the time fundraising in art was not some ...
This is a series of a project titled "UNREALIZEABLE PROJECTS 1994-2015" that I started in 1994 out of the frustration of not being able to realize some of the installation I wanted to make, out of lack of funds. At the time fundraising in art was not some ...
W4938
19.08.2012
You Are Here - Silvio Valpreda
WWW
Silvio Valpreda impossible art project YOU ARE HERE Kibera - Nairobi (Kenya) Statements Slum A slum, as defined by the United Nations agency UNHABITAT, is a run-down area of a city characterized by substandard housing and squalor and lacking i ...
Silvio Valpreda impossible art project YOU ARE HERE Kibera - Nairobi (Kenya) Statements Slum A slum, as defined by the United Nations agency UNHABITAT, is a run-down area of a city characterized by substandard housing and squalor and lacking i ...
W4494
25.05.2011
'“Cork 2000: The Symbol of Never-ending Happiness”  - Andro Semeiko
WWW
'“Cork 2000: The Symbol of Never-ending Happiness” 'Cork 2000 was built and launched by Cape Space Centre (CSC) in response to a celebration of the year 2000. President of CSC, Dr B. Karney said in her interview: “Popping the cork is associated w ...
'“Cork 2000: The Symbol of Never-ending Happiness” 'Cork 2000 was built and launched by Cape Space Centre (CSC) in response to a celebration of the year 2000. President of CSC, Dr B. Karney said in her interview: “Popping the cork is associated w ...
W4780
03.06.2011
Emily Lockren
WWW
I have attached one collage and one edited image of unrealized artwork based around the idea of my paintings displayed on a bookshelf with only the edges visible like the spines of books. I envisioned a library of paintings, but never had the rescources t ...
I have attached one collage and one edited image of unrealized artwork based around the idea of my paintings displayed on a bookshelf with only the edges visible like the spines of books. I envisioned a library of paintings, but never had the rescources t ...
W3533
11.05.2011
The Pagoda - Michael Jantzen
WWW
Would be made from sustainably grown Western Red Cedar wood. Approximately twenty one feet wide, fifteen feet deep, and eighteen feet tall. ...
Would be made from sustainably grown Western Red Cedar wood. Approximately twenty one feet wide, fifteen feet deep, and eighteen feet tall. ...
W5363
19.10.2012
A Constructivist Artifact for Mourning the Weekdays - Inbal Strauss
WWW
These sketches for a sculpture titled A Constructivist Artifact for Mourning the Weekdays, remain as a two dimensional proposal for the time being. As a sculptor, I use investigative sketching as a creative development tool for a sculpture that will event ...
These sketches for a sculpture titled A Constructivist Artifact for Mourning the Weekdays, remain as a two dimensional proposal for the time being. As a sculptor, I use investigative sketching as a creative development tool for a sculpture that will event ...
U9567
01.01.1995
Museum - Katharina Fritsch
Unbuilt Roads
Beschreibung des Modells bitte dem Katalog "Katharina Fritsch, Museum, Biennale Venedig 1995" entnehmen. (Erster Abschnitt: Modell 1:10) Der Katalog ist bei Cantz in Stuttgart gedruckt. Previous Publications (?) Katalog der Biennale Venedig 1995 (s ...
Beschreibung des Modells bitte dem Katalog "Katharina Fritsch, Museum, Biennale Venedig 1995" entnehmen. (Erster Abschnitt: Modell 1:10) Der Katalog ist bei Cantz in Stuttgart gedruckt. Previous Publications (?) Katalog der Biennale Venedig 1995 (s ...
W3819
19.05.2011
raphaele cohen-bacry
WWW
This is an example of the 50 dolls I made between 2007 and 2010. I used ‘’ugly’’, standardized dolls made in China and was interested in turning them into unique ‘’hand-made’’ dolls with a lot of personality and character. Each measures 4X ...
This is an example of the 50 dolls I made between 2007 and 2010. I used ‘’ugly’’, standardized dolls made in China and was interested in turning them into unique ‘’hand-made’’ dolls with a lot of personality and character. Each measures 4X ...
W4195
24.05.2011
PURGATORIUM - Zoran Velimanovic
WWW
PURGATORIUM Purgatorium is a total art project with site-specific concept, which combines a contemporary visual art work with classical cultural values. The project focuses on the great and challenging theme of the Purgatory and tries to discover its mea ...
PURGATORIUM Purgatorium is a total art project with site-specific concept, which combines a contemporary visual art work with classical cultural values. The project focuses on the great and challenging theme of the Purgatory and tries to discover its mea ...
W4899
11.08.2012
Brasília, Cars, Pools & Other Modernities - Clarissa Tossin
WWW
“Brasília, Cars, Pools & Other Modernities” is the culmination of a body of work that departs from my experience of growing up in Brasília, Brazil’s planned capital. The project consists of a site-specific action in which a 1970s Volkswagen Brasil ...
“Brasília, Cars, Pools & Other Modernities” is the culmination of a body of work that departs from my experience of growing up in Brasília, Brazil’s planned capital. The project consists of a site-specific action in which a 1970s Volkswagen Brasil ...
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 ...
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 ...
W3940
20.05.2011
A Drummer's Pavilion - Olivia Booth
WWW
The drummers pavilion is meant to dilate a window plane- in fact wrench it open- and counteract the glib overuse of glass in urban architecture. Glass is a lateral horizon into which we can compose and in this single person pavilion one does just that; id ...
The drummers pavilion is meant to dilate a window plane- in fact wrench it open- and counteract the glib overuse of glass in urban architecture. Glass is a lateral horizon into which we can compose and in this single person pavilion one does just that; id ...
W4977
24.08.2012
More Light - Ana Torfs
WWW
Ana Torfs, MORE LIGHT (2007) Animated light sculpture in white neon letters. The two words, at 35 meters above street level, measure 18 m (L) x 2 m (H). Four visual artists had been invited to propose a work for the new campus of the Sint-Lukas U ...
Ana Torfs, MORE LIGHT (2007) Animated light sculpture in white neon letters. The two words, at 35 meters above street level, measure 18 m (L) x 2 m (H). Four visual artists had been invited to propose a work for the new campus of the Sint-Lukas U ...