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.

Broadway Musicals - Christian Marclay

PROPOSAL FOR SEATTLE ARTS COMMISSION, IN PUBLIC - Chris Burden

The bridge according to Jeong-a's dream - Koo Jeong

A House of Dust - Alison Knowles

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

KEEPING IN TOUCH - Allan Kaprow

Dog Jaw Monument - A Futurist Tele-introject - Leon Golub

Catwalk - Sylive Fleury

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

Tower Cranes, Paris  - Tadashi Kawamata

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W5379
19.10.2012
The naturalness of the artificial - Ana Pissarra
WWW
The naturalness of the artificial, Ana Pissarra This work explores associations between House and Domestic fantasy, always within a logic of ‘integration’. Thought games of association, the word House may bring about in us resonances that take the ...
The naturalness of the artificial, Ana Pissarra This work explores associations between House and Domestic fantasy, always within a logic of ‘integration’. Thought games of association, the word House may bring about in us resonances that take the ...
W4874
09.08.2012
Kseniya
WWW
W3661
15.05.2011
Efrat Kedem
WWW
Project description All over the world there are bus stops, They serves us as buildings for a fleeting moment, a man passes them and wait some time before the bus arrives, then, continues on his way, We stand or sit in stations for a few minutes, some ...
Project description All over the world there are bus stops, They serves us as buildings for a fleeting moment, a man passes them and wait some time before the bus arrives, then, continues on his way, We stand or sit in stations for a few minutes, some ...
W3812
18.05.2011
SOL: project for a single channel HD video installation, stereo sound. 2010 - Diego Zuelli
WWW
A video installation for a private gallery. A single video projection on the far side of a long room. A prepared wall, with black paint around a white circle, where the "image" will be projected. The sense of sight is the mean we use the most to know ...
A video installation for a private gallery. A single video projection on the far side of a long room. A prepared wall, with black paint around a white circle, where the "image" will be projected. The sense of sight is the mean we use the most to know ...
W4301
24.05.2011
“UDLU” Underground Desert Living Unit - Reynard Loki
WWW
“UDLU” Underground Desert Living Unit The UDLU (Underground Desert Living Unit) is a conceptual single-family dwelling installed below the surface of a desert ecosystem. PROJECT Create and install “UDLU” demo house in the Chihuahuan Dese ...
“UDLU” Underground Desert Living Unit The UDLU (Underground Desert Living Unit) is a conceptual single-family dwelling installed below the surface of a desert ecosystem. PROJECT Create and install “UDLU” demo house in the Chihuahuan Dese ...
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.... ...
W4104
23.05.2011
On Level #02 - Håvard Pedersen
WWW
its center. The contrast of the die, which references gambling, and uncertainty with the absolute nature of a level were to pay tribute to the putty level of Marcel Duchamp. The die would be produced in an edition of 6 pairs, 12 die in total. ...
its center. The contrast of the die, which references gambling, and uncertainty with the absolute nature of a level were to pay tribute to the putty level of Marcel Duchamp. The die would be produced in an edition of 6 pairs, 12 die in total. ...
W4332
24.05.2011
The Golden Pavilion - Xawery Wolski
WWW
The Golden Pavilion. 1993 What is essentially remote is the unapproachable. In fact, the main quality of an image used for worship is its inapproachability. By its very nature, it is always remote, as close as it may be. One can approach its material rea ...
The Golden Pavilion. 1993 What is essentially remote is the unapproachable. In fact, the main quality of an image used for worship is its inapproachability. By its very nature, it is always remote, as close as it may be. One can approach its material rea ...
W3907
20.05.2011
Alan Yates
WWW
As Contemporary art exhibitions develop towards a multiplicity of practises and genres, many are being used for urban regeneration and environmental projects. In this new landscape I wish to lead on initiatives to re-shape the urban landscape to incorpora ...
As Contemporary art exhibitions develop towards a multiplicity of practises and genres, many are being used for urban regeneration and environmental projects. In this new landscape I wish to lead on initiatives to re-shape the urban landscape to incorpora ...
U9918
01.01.1994
Eight Days a Week - Joe Scanlan
Unbuilt Roads
In 1994, after several years of studying the history of calendars and their basis in the solar system, I designed a new calendar that was more "in tune" with my personal rhythms. Although it contained the same 365 days, the calendar was divided into 15 In ...
In 1994, after several years of studying the history of calendars and their basis in the solar system, I designed a new calendar that was more "in tune" with my personal rhythms. Although it contained the same 365 days, the calendar was divided into 15 In ...
W3537
11.05.2011
‘Against the fall’ - Sarah Luedemann
WWW
Project outline (Version Ia): ‘Against the fall’ consists of a fully functioning white parachute and about 300 (or more) A4 rejection letters from art students and artists worldwide, which are printed onto the parachute. The parachute as such is ...
Project outline (Version Ia): ‘Against the fall’ consists of a fully functioning white parachute and about 300 (or more) A4 rejection letters from art students and artists worldwide, which are printed onto the parachute. The parachute as such is ...
U9833
01.01.1977
Square Depression - Bruce Nauman
Unbuilt Roads
Geplanter Standort: Naturwissenschaftliches Zentrum der Westfälischen Wilhelmsuniversität, Münster Material: Betonguß Maße: Tiefe 2,30 m, Breite 25,0 m, Länge 25,0 m Note The piece is a rhomboid square depres­sion with the p ...
Geplanter Standort: Naturwissenschaftliches Zentrum der Westfälischen Wilhelmsuniversität, Münster Material: Betonguß Maße: Tiefe 2,30 m, Breite 25,0 m, Länge 25,0 m Note The piece is a rhomboid square depres­sion with the p ...
W3935
20.05.2011
John Roloff
WWW
The works presented here are part of a large group of 'unrealized' projects engaging landscape, metaphor, geologic/human time and natural systems. The descriptive text for each project submitted is included with each image. ...
The works presented here are part of a large group of 'unrealized' projects engaging landscape, metaphor, geologic/human time and natural systems. The descriptive text for each project submitted is included with each image. ...
W5308
17.10.2012
Wilhelm-and-Jakob-Grimm-Center in B - 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 ...
W5046
03.09.2012
Hegel's Lecture - Robert Linsley
WWW
Unrealized film proposal of 1997 entitled "Hegel's Lecture" OUTLINE FOR A FILM: HEGEL’S LECTURE Storyline: The door of the lecture hall opens and the camera enters over the shoulder of a student. We see the face of the doorman standing inside brief ...
Unrealized film proposal of 1997 entitled "Hegel's Lecture" OUTLINE FOR A FILM: HEGEL’S LECTURE Storyline: The door of the lecture hall opens and the camera enters over the shoulder of a student. We see the face of the doorman standing inside brief ...
W3851
19.05.2011
John Miserendino
WWW
a hot air balloon shaped like an inverted empire state building. ...
a hot air balloon shaped like an inverted empire state building. ...
W4886
10.08.2012
Laissez-Passer - Ilana Salama Ortar
WWW
Laissez-Passer Introduction I was born in Alexandria. In the early 1950s my family was forced to leave Egypt with a one-way pass (laissez-passer). On the way to Israel we passed through Marseilles. Due to the circumstances, since post-war Marseilles ...
Laissez-Passer Introduction I was born in Alexandria. In the early 1950s my family was forced to leave Egypt with a one-way pass (laissez-passer). On the way to Israel we passed through Marseilles. Due to the circumstances, since post-war Marseilles ...
W3705
17.05.2011
PA(E/S)SAGGIO - beatrice crastini
WWW
Project to next Documenta-Kassel, at the moment nobody have contact me. It's on the utopia of the cohabitation by Franco Rotelli, historic successor by Franco Basaglia father of the psychiatric revolution Beauty is a need, the ugliness makes it ugly. ...
Project to next Documenta-Kassel, at the moment nobody have contact me. It's on the utopia of the cohabitation by Franco Rotelli, historic successor by Franco Basaglia father of the psychiatric revolution Beauty is a need, the ugliness makes it ugly. ...
W5088
10.09.2012
Reversed Tower of Babel - Jacek Dziubiński
WWW
Jacek Dziubiński REVERSED TOWER OF BABEL PLACE: Platz der Republik, Berlin, Germany IDEA: As described in the Bible (Genesis), for an attempt to enter the heaven and the sin of pride God mixed up languages of builders of the Tower of Babel. A ...
Jacek Dziubiński REVERSED TOWER OF BABEL PLACE: Platz der Republik, Berlin, Germany IDEA: As described in the Bible (Genesis), for an attempt to enter the heaven and the sin of pride God mixed up languages of builders of the Tower of Babel. A ...
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 ...
W4048
22.05.2011
NESTED VOIDS: LA GROTTE DU MAS D’AZIL - Bradley Pitts
WWW
Unrealized Proposal for NESTED VOIDS: LA GROTTE DU MAS D’AZIL
 Bradley Pitts, 2010 The cave of Le Mas-d'Azil (la grotte du Mas d'Azil), FR, was one of the first prehistoric caves to yield evidence of human habitation. Its main feature is a 500-met ...
Unrealized Proposal for NESTED VOIDS: LA GROTTE DU MAS D’AZIL
 Bradley Pitts, 2010 The cave of Le Mas-d'Azil (la grotte du Mas d'Azil), FR, was one of the first prehistoric caves to yield evidence of human habitation. Its main feature is a 500-met ...
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 ...
W4467
25.05.2011
ExpErimEnts and obsErvations - hanna husberg
WWW
ExpErimEnts and obsErvations on diffErEnt kinds of air The project introduces a canalization of tubes with inhalers connected to N2O gas tanks at some public spaces as the auditorium of a theatre or a metro train. Experiments and observations on differe ...
ExpErimEnts and obsErvations on diffErEnt kinds of air The project introduces a canalization of tubes with inhalers connected to N2O gas tanks at some public spaces as the auditorium of a theatre or a metro train. Experiments and observations on differe ...
W4156
23.05.2011
Craig Havens
WWW
From August 2009 to January 2010, I employed the spirit of Elvis Presely as the PR Director of a Limited Liability Company which I created to represent my groin to those people who were no longer welcome in my life. ...
From August 2009 to January 2010, I employed the spirit of Elvis Presely as the PR Director of a Limited Liability Company which I created to represent my groin to those people who were no longer welcome in my life. ...
W4608
25.05.2011
jeffrey schiff
WWW
W4342
24.05.2011
The First Piece of Art for/from the Moon, 1970 - 1972 - Kocot and Hatton
WWW
project one - The First Piece of Art for/from the Moon, 1970 - 1972 Our project, The First Piece of Art for/from the Moon, a three-venue exhibition, required cooperation between three major US museums. Each museum would display simultaneously an eight ...
project one - The First Piece of Art for/from the Moon, 1970 - 1972 Our project, The First Piece of Art for/from the Moon, a three-venue exhibition, required cooperation between three major US museums. Each museum would display simultaneously an eight ...