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.

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

Unbetitelt, Gänse-Projekt + Noch unbetitelt , " Durch den Mund sehen " + Kartoffeln  - Carsten Holler

NON REALIZED PROJECTS - Christo and Jeanne-Claude

La Guerra De Los Simbolos - Victor Grippo

Project 1 + Project 2 - Simryn Gill

City Hall Tower Night Ilumination - Krysztof Wodiczko

Monumento all'agricoltura 1969-70 - Alighiero Boetti

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

Attitudine Diplomatica - Hermann Pitz

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

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4669
25.05.2011
IPIRANGA  - Balam Bartolomé
WWW
IPIRANGA A project by Balam Bartolomé Porfirio Díaz was the president of Mexico for over 30 years. He was overthrew by the Mexican Revolution in 1910 and sent to exile in France. During his dictatorship, in 1904, the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Fine Ar ...
IPIRANGA A project by Balam Bartolomé Porfirio Díaz was the president of Mexico for over 30 years. He was overthrew by the Mexican Revolution in 1910 and sent to exile in France. During his dictatorship, in 1904, the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Fine Ar ...
W4968
22.08.2012
50 Unrealized Artwork Recipes - Greg Sholette
WWW
50 Unrealized Artwork Recipes See PDF ...
50 Unrealized Artwork Recipes See PDF ...
U9953
01.01.1974
Temple of the western buddha (1971 Kathmedu) - Herman de Vries
Unbuilt Roads
a circle of sacred trees in the east side of the circle a flat stone as seat uder a boddhi tree (ficus religiosa). other trees in the circle: ficus bengalensis, aegle marmelos,butea frondosa,melia azadirachta,prosopis spicigera,thevetia neriifolia, sa ...
a circle of sacred trees in the east side of the circle a flat stone as seat uder a boddhi tree (ficus religiosa). other trees in the circle: ficus bengalensis, aegle marmelos,butea frondosa,melia azadirachta,prosopis spicigera,thevetia neriifolia, sa ...
U9298
01.01.1991
Visual Poem: Cap I Cua - Joan Brossa
Unbuilt Roads
When the project to built the AVE train (Madrid-Scville-Madrid) was getting started, a design team was put together to design the mobile units of this high-speed train. Visual Poet, Joan Brossa, was asked to collaborate in the final touches of this de ...
When the project to built the AVE train (Madrid-Scville-Madrid) was getting started, a design team was put together to design the mobile units of this high-speed train. Visual Poet, Joan Brossa, was asked to collaborate in the final touches of this de ...
W4120
23.05.2011
Virginia Mastrogiannaki
WWW
The principal idea of the project has its roots on the "cosmogonist" myth of the Cosmic Egg, references of which we find in the history of almost all primitive cultures. We have been asked to research a "cosmogonist" myth and then to carry out a project ...
The principal idea of the project has its roots on the "cosmogonist" myth of the Cosmic Egg, references of which we find in the history of almost all primitive cultures. We have been asked to research a "cosmogonist" myth and then to carry out a project ...
W4537
25.05.2011
THE TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FACTORY FIRE MEMORIAL - Kristin Jones / Andrew Ginzel
WWW
THE TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FACTORY FIRE MEMORIAL New York, NY Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition October 2010 The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire • Occurred March 25, 1911 on the top three floors of the ten-story Asch Building (23-29 Washington Place, ne ...
THE TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FACTORY FIRE MEMORIAL New York, NY Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition October 2010 The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire • Occurred March 25, 1911 on the top three floors of the ten-story Asch Building (23-29 Washington Place, ne ...
W3689
16.05.2011
Mike Mosher
WWW
Painting community murals in early 1980s San Francisco, California [see "Artist!" on Bad Subjects website], I made many sketches and proposals, like the "Children's Checkerboard". After 1984, I began to link imagery in paintings with symbols & schematics ...
Painting community murals in early 1980s San Francisco, California [see "Artist!" on Bad Subjects website], I made many sketches and proposals, like the "Children's Checkerboard". After 1984, I began to link imagery in paintings with symbols & schematics ...
W4465
25.05.2011
ExoMars - Lyn Hagan
WWW
The European Space Agency (ESA) currently runs a space exploration programme called Aurora which includes a planned robotic mission to the surface of Mars. The ExoMars rover will be sent in 2018 to gather and analyse data they receive and includes a nu ...
The European Space Agency (ESA) currently runs a space exploration programme called Aurora which includes a planned robotic mission to the surface of Mars. The ExoMars rover will be sent in 2018 to gather and analyse data they receive and includes a nu ...
W5293
16.10.2012
Santes Tudful  - Andrew Leicester
WWW
Santes Tudful (Saint Tudful) Landmark for Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, UK Santes Tudful is an embodiment of her place-name Merthy Tydfil overlooking a major highway on the Anglos/Welsh border. Rahter than being remembered and sanctified because of her tragic ...
Santes Tudful (Saint Tudful) Landmark for Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, UK Santes Tudful is an embodiment of her place-name Merthy Tydfil overlooking a major highway on the Anglos/Welsh border. Rahter than being remembered and sanctified because of her tragic ...
W4030
22.05.2011
The Grand Tour - Holly Crawford
WWW
Preliminary Proposal The Grand Tour In the current global art market only the very wealthy and select and limited number of curators may participate fully. At the fairs there are VIP lounges were you may get a message, have a snack and a glass of ...
Preliminary Proposal The Grand Tour In the current global art market only the very wealthy and select and limited number of curators may participate fully. At the fairs there are VIP lounges were you may get a message, have a snack and a glass of ...
W5450
20.10.2012
BUILDING DRAWING III: “NO-PLACE SPACE” - Ann Daly
WWW
Ann Daly adaly@aya.yale.edu BUILDING DRAWING III: “NO-PLACE SPACE” A house or room, housed elsewhere. A large room or rectangular structure set within another space, so that one can see the outside of it and move into its interior. A more ambit ...
Ann Daly adaly@aya.yale.edu BUILDING DRAWING III: “NO-PLACE SPACE” A house or room, housed elsewhere. A large room or rectangular structure set within another space, so that one can see the outside of it and move into its interior. A more ambit ...
W3583
13.05.2011
Green Architecture - Francesco Fossati
WWW
wall installation variable dimensions water pain on wall and oil on paper transfered on wooden tables (26 x 19 cm each element) The project consists of a large installation that runs on the walls, creating a visually stunning work of able to relate g ...
wall installation variable dimensions water pain on wall and oil on paper transfered on wooden tables (26 x 19 cm each element) The project consists of a large installation that runs on the walls, creating a visually stunning work of able to relate g ...
W4226
24.05.2011
Round CD or DVD Fountain - Alex Hamilton
WWW
Round CD or DVD Fountain I’ve noticed some financial institutions in Germany (Stuttgart is one) have a large (1 to 1 & half meter) granite sphere revolving in a perfectly fitting “cup” lubricated by a bed of water, outside near the front entrance. ...
Round CD or DVD Fountain I’ve noticed some financial institutions in Germany (Stuttgart is one) have a large (1 to 1 & half meter) granite sphere revolving in a perfectly fitting “cup” lubricated by a bed of water, outside near the front entrance. ...
W3845
19.05.2011
Interactive Playground - GH Hovagimyan
WWW
Abstract The interactive playground project consists of three works. 1. An interactive Seesaw 2. A jump rope machine 3. An interactive spiral slide The interactive seesaw has recently been completed as part of an LMCC residency at Governor’s ...
Abstract The interactive playground project consists of three works. 1. An interactive Seesaw 2. A jump rope machine 3. An interactive spiral slide The interactive seesaw has recently been completed as part of an LMCC residency at Governor’s ...
W5069
05.09.2012
National Bank - Assaf Gruber
WWW
National Bank: In April 2009, I contacted the Sport Center of the National Bank of Belgium to submit to them a proposition for an exhibition: We planned to exhibit Getting Even, a piece made with slices of bowling balls that are scattered around and be ...
National Bank: In April 2009, I contacted the Sport Center of the National Bank of Belgium to submit to them a proposition for an exhibition: We planned to exhibit Getting Even, a piece made with slices of bowling balls that are scattered around and be ...
W3593
13.05.2011
VINE PEOPLE ARE NOT TERRORISTS - Dyan Marie
WWW
News reports claim my actions are that of an environmental terrorist organization: that we have unleashed a harmful toxin in the halls of power throughout the North America. ...
News reports claim my actions are that of an environmental terrorist organization: that we have unleashed a harmful toxin in the halls of power throughout the North America. ...
W5006
30.08.2012
Das soziale NetzKunstwerk - Karen Eliot
WWW
An internet forum/ social network for Open Source Art projects: Artists always have unrealized ideas - things that just slumber in sketchbooks forever. We want to create a website, where users can propose such projects and leave it open for others to adop ...
An internet forum/ social network for Open Source Art projects: Artists always have unrealized ideas - things that just slumber in sketchbooks forever. We want to create a website, where users can propose such projects and leave it open for others to adop ...
W4139
23.05.2011
Lizzy Cross
WWW
These floor plans attempt to illustrate my perception of a changing family dynamic. I have yet to find the right way to bring this idea to fruition. I believe it exists most perfectly as image files in my laptop's "sketchbook" file, documenting a state of ...
These floor plans attempt to illustrate my perception of a changing family dynamic. I have yet to find the right way to bring this idea to fruition. I believe it exists most perfectly as image files in my laptop's "sketchbook" file, documenting a state of ...
W4005
22.05.2011
Chris Johnson
WWW
I propose to cut involute spur gears into the ice of a central park lake. Imposing a simple machine will add something to the natural world. A prototype of the proposal can be seen at: http://vimeo.com/23778323 ...
I propose to cut involute spur gears into the ice of a central park lake. Imposing a simple machine will add something to the natural world. A prototype of the proposal can be seen at: http://vimeo.com/23778323 ...
W4145
23.05.2011
This England - Cornford & Cross
WWW
For the Times/Artangel commissions, we proposed to build a 50-metre section of concrete ‘flyover’ in Green Park, London. Emerging from the trees would have been an imposing and apparently purposeful structure, a sweeping arc supported on tall piers. Y ...
For the Times/Artangel commissions, we proposed to build a 50-metre section of concrete ‘flyover’ in Green Park, London. Emerging from the trees would have been an imposing and apparently purposeful structure, a sweeping arc supported on tall piers. Y ...
W3743
18.05.2011
Rave Joy Mobile - Kai-Oi Jay Yung
WWW
A sound proofed enclosed box, mirrored on outside, pitch-black interior lit by 100 flashing neon LEDS, fitted with strawberry smoke nebuliser, fan and ventilation shaft to sit in the gallery. To be installed with state of the art sound system, digitally l ...
A sound proofed enclosed box, mirrored on outside, pitch-black interior lit by 100 flashing neon LEDS, fitted with strawberry smoke nebuliser, fan and ventilation shaft to sit in the gallery. To be installed with state of the art sound system, digitally l ...
W5171
26.09.2012
Park a person - Heidi Stokes
WWW
Park a person traces an individual’s life and their highs and lows. The piece offers an unusual treatment. Every individual troubled, can go to a space were you can park yourself, as a place for refuge or time out. Based on a true documented account. ...
Park a person traces an individual’s life and their highs and lows. The piece offers an unusual treatment. Every individual troubled, can go to a space were you can park yourself, as a place for refuge or time out. Based on a true documented account. ...
W3804
18.05.2011
Joanne Tatham & Tom O'Sullivan
WWW
"An experience being an experience like an experience you just had" was an unsuccessful proposal for the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. ...
"An experience being an experience like an experience you just had" was an unsuccessful proposal for the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. ...
W4524
25.05.2011
Star Museum in Sharjah - Star Museum in Sharjah by A12
WWW
Star Museum in Sharjah by A12 Our proposal for Sharjah Art Foundation Production Programme was to build a temporary pavilion to host the first stage of the Star Museum, a travelling museum dedicated to the stars. The stars in this museum are not inten ...
Star Museum in Sharjah by A12 Our proposal for Sharjah Art Foundation Production Programme was to build a temporary pavilion to host the first stage of the Star Museum, a travelling museum dedicated to the stars. The stars in this museum are not inten ...
W5307
17.10.2012
Karla Sachse
WWW
Dear organizers of the Agency of Unrealized Projects, although near your deadline for contributions I would like to send you the draft for a shining column which could have marked the new big library temple called Wilhelm-and-Jakob-Grimm-Center in B ...
Dear organizers of the Agency of Unrealized Projects, although near your deadline for contributions I would like to send you the draft for a shining column which could have marked the new big library temple called Wilhelm-and-Jakob-Grimm-Center in B ...
W10455
24.04.2014
Three Little Words - Allison Malinsky
WWW
Three Little Words started my work with visual language. This series contains my colorful gouache drawings of engagement diamonds accompanied by three words in black cursive text. I painted the most symbolic engagement diamonds from Tiffany's and Cartie ...
Three Little Words started my work with visual language. This series contains my colorful gouache drawings of engagement diamonds accompanied by three words in black cursive text. I painted the most symbolic engagement diamonds from Tiffany's and Cartie ...