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.

NON REALIZED PROJECTS - Christo and Jeanne-Claude

Notebook Page: Home in the Form of a Banana with Garage,  - Claes Oldenburg

Passage - Richard Wentworth

Double Exposure 1995-6  - Dan Graham

Catwalk - Sylive Fleury

Brücke Wein-Kanal Arch. Hermann Czech, Wein - Franz West

Niemandsland - Hans Haacke

Arrangement Stroom HCBK Den Haag - Ange Leccia

Der New-Babyloner - Constant

Nicht realisierte Projekte - Stefan Demary

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
U9731
01.01.1988
Tower Cranes, Paris  - Tadashi Kawamata
Unbuilt Roads
Please see the enclosed leaflet· "Tower Crane, Paris" (eventually reasons why the work has not been realised) Financial, technical and organisation problems Previous Publications (?) Enclosed ...
Please see the enclosed leaflet· "Tower Crane, Paris" (eventually reasons why the work has not been realised) Financial, technical and organisation problems Previous Publications (?) Enclosed ...
W3793
18.05.2011
Bathhaus - Guillermo Creus
WWW
This project was originally submitted to De Appel Curatorial Programme and was rejected in its original format (my original idea was to have the project proposal to be the project in itself). Freida Abtan, Peter Dobill and Aïda Ruilova. Curated by ...
This project was originally submitted to De Appel Curatorial Programme and was rejected in its original format (my original idea was to have the project proposal to be the project in itself). Freida Abtan, Peter Dobill and Aïda Ruilova. Curated by ...
W5452
20.10.2012
TRANSCULTURAL BODHISATTVA STUDIES: RE-CONSIDERING THE BODHISATTVA ICON IN A TRANSCULTURAL AND GLOBAL CONTEXT - Isabel Seliger
WWW
Oct. 20, 2012 Isabel Seliger, PhD Proposal for Berliner Künstlerprogramm/ DAAD “unrealized projects” TRANSCULTURAL BODHISATTVA STUDIES: RE-CONSIDERING THE BODHISATTVA ICON IN A TRANSCULTURAL AND GLOBAL CONTEXT Project Abstract: Art histor ...
Oct. 20, 2012 Isabel Seliger, PhD Proposal for Berliner Künstlerprogramm/ DAAD “unrealized projects” TRANSCULTURAL BODHISATTVA STUDIES: RE-CONSIDERING THE BODHISATTVA ICON IN A TRANSCULTURAL AND GLOBAL CONTEXT Project Abstract: Art histor ...
W3603
13.05.2011
francine LeClercq
WWW
in memoriam of a work not yet done ...
in memoriam of a work not yet done ...
W4793
13.06.2011
Between, Between, no More and Drink a Chair - Natalie Bell
WWW
This is a consciously utopian project aiming to create a very accessible and affordable pocket-sized handbook of English for Spanish-speaking immigrants in New York City. SEE PDF ...
This is a consciously utopian project aiming to create a very accessible and affordable pocket-sized handbook of English for Spanish-speaking immigrants in New York City. SEE PDF ...
W4261
24.05.2011
The Bridge (Installation) - Arcady Kotler
WWW
Arcady Kotler The Bridge (Installation) Installation “The Bridge” is represented by a fragile rope bridge suspended over the exhibition space from wall to wall. The ropes and strings are tied in a way that resembles the appearance of New York ...
Arcady Kotler The Bridge (Installation) Installation “The Bridge” is represented by a fragile rope bridge suspended over the exhibition space from wall to wall. The ropes and strings are tied in a way that resembles the appearance of New York ...
W5172
26.09.2012
Anca Benera + Arnold Estefan
WWW
We wanted to cut 0,892 cm² of soil from the Serpent Island - former Romanian territory, occupied by USSR in 1948 - a minuscule territory located in the northwestern Black Sea, which belongs now to Ukraine. ...
We wanted to cut 0,892 cm² of soil from the Serpent Island - former Romanian territory, occupied by USSR in 1948 - a minuscule territory located in the northwestern Black Sea, which belongs now to Ukraine. ...
W3652
15.05.2011
Dederon – The Fabric of the East - Daniel Blochwitz
WWW
One of the most complex and yet unrealized projects of mine is “Dederon – The Fabric of the East” (2003-present), which literally uses the (polyester) thread named after the DDR (engl.: G.D.R.) to trace the initially noble and ambitious project of e ...
One of the most complex and yet unrealized projects of mine is “Dederon – The Fabric of the East” (2003-present), which literally uses the (polyester) thread named after the DDR (engl.: G.D.R.) to trace the initially noble and ambitious project of e ...
W5304
17.10.2012
Antarctica Melts Project 1971-2012 - Luciano Zubillaga
WWW
Antarctica Melts Project 1971-2012 The Antarctica Melts Project is a collaboration between artists Luciano Zubillaga and Carlos Ginzburg. It is an extended reconstruction of an historically unrealized ecological project by Argentine conceptualism o ...
Antarctica Melts Project 1971-2012 The Antarctica Melts Project is a collaboration between artists Luciano Zubillaga and Carlos Ginzburg. It is an extended reconstruction of an historically unrealized ecological project by Argentine conceptualism o ...
W5016
30.08.2012
TOTEM WAR - WHEN ARCHITECTURE BECOMES RIVAL CLANS’ BATTLEFIELD - Martial MARQUET
WWW
TOTEM WAR - WHEN ARCHITECTURE BECOMES RIVAL CLANS’ BATTLEFIELD autors : Louisa Gouesnard, Martial Marquet, Nicolas Polaert. date : Jan 2011 Place : Sliznevo, RUSSIA. Dimensions : variables Materials : Wood/Steel What is happening in Sliznevo ? ...
TOTEM WAR - WHEN ARCHITECTURE BECOMES RIVAL CLANS’ BATTLEFIELD autors : Louisa Gouesnard, Martial Marquet, Nicolas Polaert. date : Jan 2011 Place : Sliznevo, RUSSIA. Dimensions : variables Materials : Wood/Steel What is happening in Sliznevo ? ...
W5107
14.09.2012
Eli Skipp
WWW
This project requires an indoor climbing wall of significant width and height (minimum 40' x 65'). A route setter will be hired to climb and lay out climbing holds and place climbing tape to mark the route (color is up to the setter, but yellow is prefer ...
This project requires an indoor climbing wall of significant width and height (minimum 40' x 65'). A route setter will be hired to climb and lay out climbing holds and place climbing tape to mark the route (color is up to the setter, but yellow is prefer ...
W3992
21.05.2011
Ranjit Sidhu
WWW
In a fierce contest in 1961, I was commissioned to create drawings based on “Devotion to Duty”, “Dignity of Labour” and, “Work is Worship” – the themes floated by 505 Command Workshop, Ministry of Defense, Govt. of India for eight large wall ...
In a fierce contest in 1961, I was commissioned to create drawings based on “Devotion to Duty”, “Dignity of Labour” and, “Work is Worship” – the themes floated by 505 Command Workshop, Ministry of Defense, Govt. of India for eight large wall ...
W3818
19.05.2011
Kelly Jazvac and Patrick Howlett
WWW
An abstract public sculpture that doubles as a large scale bike rack. Our proposal is for a large-scale, powder-coated steel sculpture to be installed in the outdoor sculpture garden at the SculptureCenter. The project will appear to be a prototypical ...
An abstract public sculpture that doubles as a large scale bike rack. Our proposal is for a large-scale, powder-coated steel sculpture to be installed in the outdoor sculpture garden at the SculptureCenter. The project will appear to be a prototypical ...
W5384
20.10.2012
The EXTRA MUROS project - Amina Menia
WWW
The EXTRA MUROS project (2005 – ongoing) This project is an ongoing series of urban installations in the city of Algiers where I revisit legendary places, landmark venues, urban gaps. My interventions crystallize in a space not in an artwork. The ...
The EXTRA MUROS project (2005 – ongoing) This project is an ongoing series of urban installations in the city of Algiers where I revisit legendary places, landmark venues, urban gaps. My interventions crystallize in a space not in an artwork. The ...
W3690
16.05.2011
It’s Not You, Me, or the Dog - Cecile B. Evans
WWW
Summary of Intent I plan to produce a series of video works that use trained animals, instead of humans, to “act out” or represent various emotional states and scenarios. Continuing my previous investigations of the production and construction of i ...
Summary of Intent I plan to produce a series of video works that use trained animals, instead of humans, to “act out” or represent various emotional states and scenarios. Continuing my previous investigations of the production and construction of i ...
W4479
25.05.2011
Hösl&Mihaljevic
WWW
Project: To print a whole issue of a newspaper, for example Sueddeutsche Zeitung, twice: First time only the pictures. Second time only the words. ...
Project: To print a whole issue of a newspaper, for example Sueddeutsche Zeitung, twice: First time only the pictures. Second time only the words. ...
W10583
18.06.2014
Downriver - Jonathan Parsons
WWW
proposal for the 2010 Spitalfields Sculpture Prize Downriver further develops my established practice of making ‘dissected’ map sculptures. Previously, I have taken actual source maps and cut away everything from them except one particular visual e ...
proposal for the 2010 Spitalfields Sculpture Prize Downriver further develops my established practice of making ‘dissected’ map sculptures. Previously, I have taken actual source maps and cut away everything from them except one particular visual e ...
W4769
29.05.2011
sam still
WWW
911, 9 + 11 = 20. A series of 20 paintings, with 10 completed inspired by the sadness of 911. ...
911, 9 + 11 = 20. A series of 20 paintings, with 10 completed inspired by the sadness of 911. ...
W4077
23.05.2011
The Museum of Patheticness - Sadie Hennessy
WWW
A short proposal for Matt's Gallery entitled 'The Museum of Patheticness' THE MUSEUM OF PATHETICNESS It has been a long held ambition of mine to establish a Museum of Patheticness. My interest in the idea of patheticness was kindled by my sightings ...
A short proposal for Matt's Gallery entitled 'The Museum of Patheticness' THE MUSEUM OF PATHETICNESS It has been a long held ambition of mine to establish a Museum of Patheticness. My interest in the idea of patheticness was kindled by my sightings ...
W4003
22.05.2011
Subject to Terms of Use - Caspar Lam
WWW
Thought experiment visualization: the view through a pair of Search Engine Spectacles Artist: Caspar Lam (casparlam@aya.yale.edu) Title: Subject to Terms of Use Description: Thought experiment visualization: the view through a pair of Search Engine ...
Thought experiment visualization: the view through a pair of Search Engine Spectacles Artist: Caspar Lam (casparlam@aya.yale.edu) Title: Subject to Terms of Use Description: Thought experiment visualization: the view through a pair of Search Engine ...
W10234
05.04.2014
Impending Monument: Boston Baby Head - Carolyn Wirth
WWW
A large public auditorium and concert hall in the form of a giant baby head will be installed at the Castle Island monument overlooking Boston Harbor, Boston, Massachusetts. Visitors will climb inside the head using a spiral ramp way in an open rotunda si ...
A large public auditorium and concert hall in the form of a giant baby head will be installed at the Castle Island monument overlooking Boston Harbor, Boston, Massachusetts. Visitors will climb inside the head using a spiral ramp way in an open rotunda si ...
W5411
20.10.2012
Jessica Miller
WWW
I have created a proposal outlining a beautification project beginning in the city of Atlanta. Participants in the agenda sign up to receive locations of seed bomb caches. They can then distribute the seed bombs and log the locations of the bombing.... ...
I have created a proposal outlining a beautification project beginning in the city of Atlanta. Participants in the agenda sign up to receive locations of seed bomb caches. They can then distribute the seed bombs and log the locations of the bombing.... ...
W5306
17.10.2012
cat.rais - Jake Morton
WWW
AUP : Agency for un-realised projects : submission : 1.0 The A.U.P. - Agency for un-realised projects - open call invitation states: 1.1 “Though the state of being unrealized implies the potential for realization, not all projects are intended to ...
AUP : Agency for un-realised projects : submission : 1.0 The A.U.P. - Agency for un-realised projects - open call invitation states: 1.1 “Though the state of being unrealized implies the potential for realization, not all projects are intended to ...
W4906
13.08.2012
US Dollar Incense - Christian Burnoski
WWW
Unrealized project for AUP archive submission: US Dollar Incense, 2010 Christian Burnoski Description The concept is to make incense-sticks from US dollars, which would cost as much as the number of bills used in making the incense, so that th ...
Unrealized project for AUP archive submission: US Dollar Incense, 2010 Christian Burnoski Description The concept is to make incense-sticks from US dollars, which would cost as much as the number of bills used in making the incense, so that th ...
W10322
01.01.2009
The Untouchable  - John Xaviers
WWW
Proposal submitted by John Xaviers for City as Studio to SARAI, CSDS In the form of a graphic novel/essay, I would like to explore Delhi-Gurgaon bus journey. These buses which are always crowded become the space and occasion where physical touch is per ...
Proposal submitted by John Xaviers for City as Studio to SARAI, CSDS In the form of a graphic novel/essay, I would like to explore Delhi-Gurgaon bus journey. These buses which are always crowded become the space and occasion where physical touch is per ...
W3489
11.05.2011
The Project for Collective Becoming: Philosophy of Platform - Marc Lafia
WWW
The Project for Collective Becoming Philosophy of Platform Marc Lafia What it is? We are creating a series of global gatherings to introduce and connect people through sociability, philosophic revelry, enjoyment, reflection and action. It involves b ...
The Project for Collective Becoming Philosophy of Platform Marc Lafia What it is? We are creating a series of global gatherings to introduce and connect people through sociability, philosophic revelry, enjoyment, reflection and action. It involves b ...