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

To Two Too; Hypothetical Monument for a Natural Disaster - Jeffrey Wisniewski

PROJEKT - Ulrich Rückreim

Douglas Gordon - 5 year drive-by; proposal for a public artwork.

Tower Cranes, Paris  - Tadashi Kawamata

Monument with Rust - Gustav Metzger

Unrealized Projects - Jonas Meckas

119. PROJET DE DESTRUCTION DU MUSEE 1970 - 1971 - Jef Geys

Double Exposure 1995-6  - Dan Graham

Electronic Theater - Laurie Anderson

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
#
Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4122
23.05.2011
The Butterfly Tree - Chris Lipomi
WWW
There is a project which I have been thinking about and working on for quite some time now. Basically it is a living kinetic sculpture of a full sized tree (15/20 ft. tall), with living green tropical butterflies as the leaves. The tree itself, function ...
There is a project which I have been thinking about and working on for quite some time now. Basically it is a living kinetic sculpture of a full sized tree (15/20 ft. tall), with living green tropical butterflies as the leaves. The tree itself, function ...
W3692
16.05.2011
The Rings - Alastair Noble & Kathy Bruce
WWW
Alastair Noble & Kathy Bruce 2010 Project Title - The Rings – Intent: To create an iconic and poetic symbol that will represent Lancaster, The Poetry Paths Project and the history, culture and diverse peoples of Lancaster. Summary: A sculpture ...
Alastair Noble & Kathy Bruce 2010 Project Title - The Rings – Intent: To create an iconic and poetic symbol that will represent Lancaster, The Poetry Paths Project and the history, culture and diverse peoples of Lancaster. Summary: A sculpture ...
U9948
30.01.1997
My House - Uri Tzaig
Unbuilt Roads
Like initiation, one has to build his own house, as shown to him in his own dreams. Useing the colors he likes, the shapes he fells, the distances his own body needs, giving names to things, functions, in his language. This house, that was built in my min ...
Like initiation, one has to build his own house, as shown to him in his own dreams. Useing the colors he likes, the shapes he fells, the distances his own body needs, giving names to things, functions, in his language. This house, that was built in my min ...
W4728
26.05.2011
Unfinished projects of avoidance - Andrew Spackman
WWW
Title: Unfinished projects of avoidance Image:P1020494.JPG 100 clocks/100 batteries in polystyrene packaging. Image: P1020451.JPG Unfinished turntable Statement Objects of deliberate ‘avoidance’. Counter intuitive processes are employe ...
Title: Unfinished projects of avoidance Image:P1020494.JPG 100 clocks/100 batteries in polystyrene packaging. Image: P1020451.JPG Unfinished turntable Statement Objects of deliberate ‘avoidance’. Counter intuitive processes are employe ...
W5390
20.10.2012
Jesvin Yeo
WWW
Unrealized Project by Jesvin Yeo The initial intention of this project was to design and create a series of dolls to illustrate the dark period of Singapore in 1950s. When there had been more than 30 secret societies and almost everyday, there were gan ...
Unrealized Project by Jesvin Yeo The initial intention of this project was to design and create a series of dolls to illustrate the dark period of Singapore in 1950s. When there had been more than 30 secret societies and almost everyday, there were gan ...
U9248
14.02.1997
Electronic Theater - Laurie Anderson
Unbuilt Roads
Dear Hans-Ulrich Obrist, I'm sending some images to you on disk. There are four stills of a theater set. (et 1 and et 2 on the first disk and et 3 and et5 on the second disk.) These are printable using Photoshop 3.0. Here is the text you asked for ...
Dear Hans-Ulrich Obrist, I'm sending some images to you on disk. There are four stills of a theater set. (et 1 and et 2 on the first disk and et 3 and et5 on the second disk.) These are printable using Photoshop 3.0. Here is the text you asked for ...
U9293
01.01.1978
The World is a Theater and we each have a role - Louise Bourgeois
Unbuilt Roads
A circular construction in wood, painted sky blue and white. In 3 dimensions. An upside down dome. A small figure stands in the center. (eventually reasons why the work has not be realized) Complicated and too expensive but never discarded. ...
A circular construction in wood, painted sky blue and white. In 3 dimensions. An upside down dome. A small figure stands in the center. (eventually reasons why the work has not be realized) Complicated and too expensive but never discarded. ...
W4089
23.05.2011
Subba Ghosh
WWW
This project consists of 10 to 12 large size (Approx size 26ft length and 6 feet wide ) paintings on tarpaulin in the shape of banners mainly to be displayed in large public areas. Submitted work 26 feet x 6 feet. Acrylic on tarpaulin. Title: Kishanlal ...
This project consists of 10 to 12 large size (Approx size 26ft length and 6 feet wide ) paintings on tarpaulin in the shape of banners mainly to be displayed in large public areas. Submitted work 26 feet x 6 feet. Acrylic on tarpaulin. Title: Kishanlal ...
W5022
31.08.2012
Hotel Libertas - Peter Friedl
WWW
Hotel Libertas, 2003 Peter Friedl Upon invitation from Catherine David, curating an exhibition for the Museum of Modern Art in Dubrovnik, a series of altogether six lectures and presentations took place in 2002/03. In connection with my stay and lec ...
Hotel Libertas, 2003 Peter Friedl Upon invitation from Catherine David, curating an exhibition for the Museum of Modern Art in Dubrovnik, a series of altogether six lectures and presentations took place in 2002/03. In connection with my stay and lec ...
W5011
30.08.2012
My Clothes Cost 1 $ - Patricia Jacomella
WWW
.................................................................................................................................... patricia jacomella bonola Projekt Work in Progress 2007 - 2012 My Clothes Cost 1 $ 365 Dollar-Banknote mit Häkel ...
.................................................................................................................................... patricia jacomella bonola Projekt Work in Progress 2007 - 2012 My Clothes Cost 1 $ 365 Dollar-Banknote mit Häkel ...
W3601
13.05.2011
Argumentation of the National Bitter Melon Council on the Power and Efficacy of Bitter Melonism - Andi Sutton
WWW
A proposal to the 7th Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art, 2012 Proposal by: The National Bitter Melon Council Web Site: http://www.bittermelon.org Contact: Andi Sutton P: 857-928-4196 E: andi.sutton@gmail.com Out of love for flavor and the desir ...
A proposal to the 7th Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art, 2012 Proposal by: The National Bitter Melon Council Web Site: http://www.bittermelon.org Contact: Andi Sutton P: 857-928-4196 E: andi.sutton@gmail.com Out of love for flavor and the desir ...
W4427
25.05.2011
THE AUDIENCE IS DEAD  - fabienne audeoud
WWW
THE AUDIENCE IS DEAD Fabienne Audéoud In 2000, I was living in London when my partner went mad. I fully realized it the night he obsessively asked me if I understood that millions of people were dying in Africa. I had replied that I couldn’t, I jus ...
THE AUDIENCE IS DEAD Fabienne Audéoud In 2000, I was living in London when my partner went mad. I fully realized it the night he obsessively asked me if I understood that millions of people were dying in Africa. I had replied that I couldn’t, I jus ...
W4227
24.05.2011
"5.9-by-8.5-inch Exhibition" - Toru Hayashi
WWW
"5.9-by-8.5-inch Exhibition" Selecting one of sketchbooks from my drawing project Equivocal Landscape* Publishing the same format (5.9 x 8.5 in. and 72 images of 144 pages) book as the sketchbook of Equivocal Landscape (at least 72 copies) ...
"5.9-by-8.5-inch Exhibition" Selecting one of sketchbooks from my drawing project Equivocal Landscape* Publishing the same format (5.9 x 8.5 in. and 72 images of 144 pages) book as the sketchbook of Equivocal Landscape (at least 72 copies) ...
W3813
19.05.2011
Bruce Gray
WWW
This is a wood sphere that I drilled into and mounted lots of high powered rare earth magnets. They are all facing the magnetic polarity in the same direction. There was also a large half sphere that I attached magnets with the polarity opposing the sph ...
This is a wood sphere that I drilled into and mounted lots of high powered rare earth magnets. They are all facing the magnetic polarity in the same direction. There was also a large half sphere that I attached magnets with the polarity opposing the sph ...
W4527
25.05.2011
Sculpture Installation - Jaime Szczepanski
WWW
Proposal 3: Sculpture Installation Location: Convention Center Boulevard, Canal Boulevard For this project, two standard bus stop shelters will be installed in two locations. The appearance, dimensions and scale of these awnings will match those seen ...
Proposal 3: Sculpture Installation Location: Convention Center Boulevard, Canal Boulevard For this project, two standard bus stop shelters will be installed in two locations. The appearance, dimensions and scale of these awnings will match those seen ...
W4428
25.05.2011
The architectural charter - Philippe Rahm
WWW
The architectural charter Project for Vassivière, France From 2003 All the territory of Vassivière, France ...
The architectural charter Project for Vassivière, France From 2003 All the territory of Vassivière, France ...
W4402
25.05.2011
"Things We Never Did" - Claus Prokop
WWW
"Things We Never Did" Aware of the fact that showing unrealized work is a step towards realization I am submitting two collections of material separated into software and hardware. Both of them are part of a bigger, absolutely unsystematic, collection ...
"Things We Never Did" Aware of the fact that showing unrealized work is a step towards realization I am submitting two collections of material separated into software and hardware. Both of them are part of a bigger, absolutely unsystematic, collection ...
W3957
20.05.2011
Chain Link Fence - Michael Arata
WWW
Chain Link Fence(space between) Graphite and paint on diamond shapes made of styrofoam and masking tape. The Chain Link Fence project represents the negative space between the wires that make up the steel fence material. The diamond shapes are some tim ...
Chain Link Fence(space between) Graphite and paint on diamond shapes made of styrofoam and masking tape. The Chain Link Fence project represents the negative space between the wires that make up the steel fence material. The diamond shapes are some tim ...
W4983
27.08.2012
Tappeto Rosso - Judit Pusztaszeri
WWW
“Tappeto Rosso” Tappeto Rosso is a site-specific installation, which served as the preliminary stage of an architectural design. The installation was the result of an in-depth research process addressing various issues surrounding the site known ...
“Tappeto Rosso” Tappeto Rosso is a site-specific installation, which served as the preliminary stage of an architectural design. The installation was the result of an in-depth research process addressing various issues surrounding the site known ...
W4250
24.05.2011
sara stites
WWW
I started these continuous drawings on paper and would like to realize the flow of life's continuum that these represent in a space either outside or in with vast walls so that they could interact with the architecture to fulfill the concept of a never-e ...
I started these continuous drawings on paper and would like to realize the flow of life's continuum that these represent in a space either outside or in with vast walls so that they could interact with the architecture to fulfill the concept of a never-e ...
W3512
11.05.2011
5. giugno 2008 - JACOPO CANDOTTI
WWW
giugno 2008 Lui è in grado di definire tutto e non si sbaglia mai.Da quando decido di affrontare qualsiasi problema, c’è sempre lui a consigliarmi e forse è il mio miglior amico di sempre. Ogni volta mi porta a pensare di essere giunto ad un ri ...
giugno 2008 Lui è in grado di definire tutto e non si sbaglia mai.Da quando decido di affrontare qualsiasi problema, c’è sempre lui a consigliarmi e forse è il mio miglior amico di sempre. Ogni volta mi porta a pensare di essere giunto ad un ri ...
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. ...
W10766
26.11.2014
Monument to civilization - Pablo Angel Lugo
WWW
A patinated plaster sculpture marble natural scale, contains two characters, the first is a riot police in position conqueror in one hand have a coat of riot police and the other as if it were a weapon, a piece of post and finally this a video surveillanc ...
A patinated plaster sculpture marble natural scale, contains two characters, the first is a riot police in position conqueror in one hand have a coat of riot police and the other as if it were a weapon, a piece of post and finally this a video surveillanc ...
W4340
24.05.2011
Violin making; the neck or ‘chiver’ of the saxophone made of porcelain; will ceramic sound different? - Cristina Cambiganu
WWW
Violin making; the neck or ‘chiver’ of the saxophone made of porcelain; will ceramic sound different? The idea, which has been in my drawer of dreams for over 10 years, intend to insert a graft on the saxophone. Precisely, the project intended to r ...
Violin making; the neck or ‘chiver’ of the saxophone made of porcelain; will ceramic sound different? The idea, which has been in my drawer of dreams for over 10 years, intend to insert a graft on the saxophone. Precisely, the project intended to r ...
W10725
25.09.2014
free night - xiaoyun mao
WWW
The infrastructure space is the node of moving path. It functions to connect different places and keep people moving tot her their destination. Within the density of the city, the infrastructure is unavoidably packed of people. The individual can't stop o ...
The infrastructure space is the node of moving path. It functions to connect different places and keep people moving tot her their destination. Within the density of the city, the infrastructure is unavoidably packed of people. The individual can't stop o ...
U9784
01.01.1993
Grand Concours International D'Architecture  - Sol Lewitt
Unbuilt Roads
TITRE DU PROJET: Grand Concours D'International D'architecture ANNEE: 1993/1994 DESCRIPTIF: Concours de plage ouvert surinvitation a des equipe D' Architectes de renomíe internationale. Objet = construire en untemps limiteé entre lama ...
TITRE DU PROJET: Grand Concours D'International D'architecture ANNEE: 1993/1994 DESCRIPTIF: Concours de plage ouvert surinvitation a des equipe D' Architectes de renomíe internationale. Objet = construire en untemps limiteé entre lama ...