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.

Projekt für die Landschaft des Mont-de-Sene (Burgund) im Rahmen eines öffentlichen Auftrags des französischen Kultusministeriums - Markus Raetz

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

Museum - Katharina Fritsch

NON REALIZED PROJECTS - Christo and Jeanne-Claude

The Clock - Ayse Erkmen

Chen H.V.O + G.T. - Bertrand Lavier

Attitudine Diplomatica - Hermann Pitz

No title, as the project only reached proposal stage - Rikrit Tiravanija

PROPOSALl + VOORSTEL - Guillame Bijl

Eislandschaft - P. Fischli und D. Weiss

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W10398
19.04.2014
Object Non Object - John Kenneth Melvin
WWW
Abstract: The purpose of this document is to explore, establish, and develop the possible application of a large scale temporary installation in the earth’s orbit. Concept: Ideally in order to make that something which questions the materiality ...
Abstract: The purpose of this document is to explore, establish, and develop the possible application of a large scale temporary installation in the earth’s orbit. Concept: Ideally in order to make that something which questions the materiality ...
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 ...
W11063
24.06.2016
Julian Assange's Mobile Balcony Installation at 1:1 - Muhammad Shamin Sahrum
WWW
Proposal extending from Master's thesis work in architecture, titled "The Diplomatic Envelope". A research into the various case studies within embassies where overlaps of legal principles with the physical and digital territories occur. This gray area em ...
Proposal extending from Master's thesis work in architecture, titled "The Diplomatic Envelope". A research into the various case studies within embassies where overlaps of legal principles with the physical and digital territories occur. This gray area em ...
W5344
18.10.2012
Lito Kattou & Leontios Toumpouris
WWW
The artist in his effort to acquire conscience of his identity addresses to the Other. The elliptic dimension of the Other does not induce the desired result, the fulfillment, the coverage of the void. He becomes aware of his inability to realize this des ...
The artist in his effort to acquire conscience of his identity addresses to the Other. The elliptic dimension of the Other does not induce the desired result, the fulfillment, the coverage of the void. He becomes aware of his inability to realize this des ...
W4636
25.05.2011
C.Q - Ioanna Pantazopoulou
WWW
C.Q., 2010 honey jars, cosmetic containers, lipsticks, glue, mirror C.Q. is a maquette study for a fantastical monument, a ‘Disney Palace on acid’, a tribute to Beauty. It is an arrangement of cosmetics that are used as pigments to add tones to ...
C.Q., 2010 honey jars, cosmetic containers, lipsticks, glue, mirror C.Q. is a maquette study for a fantastical monument, a ‘Disney Palace on acid’, a tribute to Beauty. It is an arrangement of cosmetics that are used as pigments to add tones to ...
W4105
23.05.2011
Dazzle Study #10 an onwards     - Håvard Pedersen
WWW
Dazzle Study #10 an onwards were to be a series of abstract artwork, both site specific work and as individual sculptures, based on the theory of Dazzle Camouflage. The camouflage, credited to the English painter Norman Wilkinson, where first used during ...
Dazzle Study #10 an onwards were to be a series of abstract artwork, both site specific work and as individual sculptures, based on the theory of Dazzle Camouflage. The camouflage, credited to the English painter Norman Wilkinson, where first used during ...
W3857
19.05.2011
PAPEL PICADO 2009 - Joan Skelton Smith
WWW
In 2009 I began a series of tissue paper cut outs inspired by Mexican Day of the Dead papel picado banners drawing subject matter from news sources. I envision the banners as an ongoing series adding to the historical record. I would like to see them dis ...
In 2009 I began a series of tissue paper cut outs inspired by Mexican Day of the Dead papel picado banners drawing subject matter from news sources. I envision the banners as an ongoing series adding to the historical record. I would like to see them dis ...
U9858
01.01.1995
"400" - Manfred Pernice
Unbuilt Roads
1995-96 Weile bestand ein Zusammenhang. eng. [unleserlich] ihn nicht gesucht. Möglichkeiten nahm er nicht wahr. Das Sockel (1) ergibt 11-fach vervielfältigt, Modell einer grosser Wohn- und Geschäftsanlag; [M?]aßtab 1:100, welches im Ausstellung ...
1995-96 Weile bestand ein Zusammenhang. eng. [unleserlich] ihn nicht gesucht. Möglichkeiten nahm er nicht wahr. Das Sockel (1) ergibt 11-fach vervielfältigt, Modell einer grosser Wohn- und Geschäftsanlag; [M?]aßtab 1:100, welches im Ausstellung ...
U9823
13.02.1997
Project tor the Veterans Administration Hospital--Bay Pines, Florida. - Robert Morris
Unbuilt Roads
13 Feb 97 Att: Hans Ulrich Obrist From: R. Morris (fax:914-255-2781) Re: Unbuilt Roads Dear Hans Ulrich Obrist, Thanks for you recent fax inviting me to participate in your project. I send along some information about a project that might be ...
13 Feb 97 Att: Hans Ulrich Obrist From: R. Morris (fax:914-255-2781) Re: Unbuilt Roads Dear Hans Ulrich Obrist, Thanks for you recent fax inviting me to participate in your project. I send along some information about a project that might be ...
W4488
25.05.2011
Sketch railway viaduct - Katrin Korfmann
WWW
Sketch railway viaduct – Tiel, the Netherlands, 2009 The viaduct is located at the entrance of the city of Tiel. One passes it after leaving the highway and before entering the city. The viaduct shows a various mix of architecture with different styles ...
Sketch railway viaduct – Tiel, the Netherlands, 2009 The viaduct is located at the entrance of the city of Tiel. One passes it after leaving the highway and before entering the city. The viaduct shows a various mix of architecture with different styles ...
W4317
24.05.2011
LANGAGE - Tom Veeger & Ivo Schoofs
WWW
LANGAGE Proposition Neon construction cinétique Plaine de Plainpalais, Geneva Organisation Fmac, FCAC l'auteur Tom Veeger, MSc & Ivo Schoofs, BSc March 20th, 2011 LANGAGE La place est pleine de monde. Les hésitants regardent en l’air ...
LANGAGE Proposition Neon construction cinétique Plaine de Plainpalais, Geneva Organisation Fmac, FCAC l'auteur Tom Veeger, MSc & Ivo Schoofs, BSc March 20th, 2011 LANGAGE La place est pleine de monde. Les hésitants regardent en l’air ...
W4237
24.05.2011
Susanna Byrne
WWW
People are incalculable, not perfect organisms. Systems and processes require the functioning of all the appropriate elements of a formula - remove, alter, adjust or replace any and the algorithm will malfunction. There is a vernacular of aesthetics emb ...
People are incalculable, not perfect organisms. Systems and processes require the functioning of all the appropriate elements of a formula - remove, alter, adjust or replace any and the algorithm will malfunction. There is a vernacular of aesthetics emb ...
W3873
19.05.2011
CHINATOWN RUN - Derek Michael Besant
WWW
Project: CHINATOWN RUN Client: City of Calgary Development Dept. / Canada Date: 2010 Retrofit of elements into existing Centre Street Chinatown District of Calgary Alberta Canada. The idea was to enhance the 3 blocks along Centre Street with t ...
Project: CHINATOWN RUN Client: City of Calgary Development Dept. / Canada Date: 2010 Retrofit of elements into existing Centre Street Chinatown District of Calgary Alberta Canada. The idea was to enhance the 3 blocks along Centre Street with t ...
W3516
11.05.2011
Hugo Houayek
WWW
To build bridges supporting pillars are needed. To construct pillars art is necessary. Build permanent bridges with ephemeral colored pillars. ...
To build bridges supporting pillars are needed. To construct pillars art is necessary. Build permanent bridges with ephemeral colored pillars. ...
W3911
20.05.2011
A proposal for PITT. (Did not happen) - Nicole Mortiboys
WWW
A proposal for PITT. (Did not happen) pittstudio@com. The proposal to Nathan Pitt of PITT, was to make up an inflatable copy of cartoon hand, (see image attached).To the same size as the gallery space. The hand would be placed in the gallery before b ...
A proposal for PITT. (Did not happen) pittstudio@com. The proposal to Nathan Pitt of PITT, was to make up an inflatable copy of cartoon hand, (see image attached).To the same size as the gallery space. The hand would be placed in the gallery before b ...
W4625
25.05.2011
Ann LePore & Anibal Pella-Woo
WWW
Proposal for the Weehawken water tower. This collaborative project is an audio-visual installation for the Weehawken Water Tower. The Weehawken Water Tower stands to become one of the identifying visual landmarks of this diverse, dynamic and rapidly chang ...
Proposal for the Weehawken water tower. This collaborative project is an audio-visual installation for the Weehawken Water Tower. The Weehawken Water Tower stands to become one of the identifying visual landmarks of this diverse, dynamic and rapidly chang ...
W4273
24.05.2011
Hector Zamora
WWW
W3477
11.05.2011
Douglas Park
WWW
Douglas Park, U.K based and internationally active visual artist, author (of literary prose and critical essays), as well as exhibition curator (and increasingly all practices combined) douglasrpark@googlemail.com http://www.myspace.com/douglas_park +44 7 ...
Douglas Park, U.K based and internationally active visual artist, author (of literary prose and critical essays), as well as exhibition curator (and increasingly all practices combined) douglasrpark@googlemail.com http://www.myspace.com/douglas_park +44 7 ...
U9285
01.01.1969
Monumento all'agricoltura 1969-70 - Alighiero Boetti
Unbuilt Roads
In Turin von Alighiero Boetti für Fiat entworfenes Projekt, das im Rahmen der Landwirtschaftsausstellung 1970 in Verona prasentiert werden sollte, auf der die Firma vertreten war. Es sah eine etwa zwanzig Meter hohe Saüle vor, die die verschiedenen Schi ...
In Turin von Alighiero Boetti für Fiat entworfenes Projekt, das im Rahmen der Landwirtschaftsausstellung 1970 in Verona prasentiert werden sollte, auf der die Firma vertreten war. Es sah eine etwa zwanzig Meter hohe Saüle vor, die die verschiedenen Schi ...
W3790
18.05.2011
Bone-Grass Boy: The Secret Banks of the Conejos River (1995-2000)  - Ken Gonzales-Day
WWW
Original blurb: Bone-Grass Boy: The Secret Banks of the Conejos River (1995-2000) was a conceptually driven project that manifested itself in two ways: one, as a literary trope of the frontier novel of the late nineteenth century, and two, as a digitally ...
Original blurb: Bone-Grass Boy: The Secret Banks of the Conejos River (1995-2000) was a conceptually driven project that manifested itself in two ways: one, as a literary trope of the frontier novel of the late nineteenth century, and two, as a digitally ...
W3720
17.05.2011
M6 EXAM: Exhibition/Residency as A School - Sylvain Breton
WWW
Event Description - M6 EXAM: Exhibition/Residency as A School Examen M6 propose un retour à l'école d'art. Par son concept de résidence/exposition d'un mois, les artistes sont invités à une table ronde avec l'Estonie sur le thème d'une esth ...
Event Description - M6 EXAM: Exhibition/Residency as A School Examen M6 propose un retour à l'école d'art. Par son concept de résidence/exposition d'un mois, les artistes sont invités à une table ronde avec l'Estonie sur le thème d'une esth ...
W4746
26.05.2011
Freiheits- und Einheitsdenkmal - Rafael Schmidt, RAFAA
WWW
Freiheits- und Einheitsdenkmal Berlin Competition In the autumn of 1989, a growing number of courageous citizens in many cities of the GDR conquered their fear and rose against the totalitarian regime of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED). ...
Freiheits- und Einheitsdenkmal Berlin Competition In the autumn of 1989, a growing number of courageous citizens in many cities of the GDR conquered their fear and rose against the totalitarian regime of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED). ...
W3694
16.05.2011
Doppler Symphony - leo fitzmaurice
WWW
Proposal The proposal is to overlay two Doppler Effect * phenomena (change in pitch and volume) onto a piece of music. Process Start with a multi-track recording of a piece of music (one track per instrument) Split each track of the recording ...
Proposal The proposal is to overlay two Doppler Effect * phenomena (change in pitch and volume) onto a piece of music. Process Start with a multi-track recording of a piece of music (one track per instrument) Split each track of the recording ...
W4066
23.05.2011
Public Phones - János Sugár
WWW
My work is a public telephone located centrally in a city, or in the lobby of a public building. There is a board above the telephone on which is written: "This is a free phone, but the conversations are being recorded and published later word by word." ...
My work is a public telephone located centrally in a city, or in the lobby of a public building. There is a board above the telephone on which is written: "This is a free phone, but the conversations are being recorded and published later word by word." ...
W4238
24.05.2011
'HANOI DUCKS' - Dao Anh Khanh & Tamas Jovanovics
WWW
Dao Anh Khanh & Tamas Jovanovics 'HANOI DUCKS' (work title) PUBLIC ART PROJECT - in order to seek general awareness for ecological topics in Hanoi/Vietnam Project status: seeking for fundings Background of the project: After a long period of po ...
Dao Anh Khanh & Tamas Jovanovics 'HANOI DUCKS' (work title) PUBLIC ART PROJECT - in order to seek general awareness for ecological topics in Hanoi/Vietnam Project status: seeking for fundings Background of the project: After a long period of po ...
U9641
01.01.1995
Project 1 + Project 2 - Simryn Gill
Unbuilt Roads
Project 1 Title: untitled. Seeding the Indian Ocean (between Europe and S. E. Asia) with text-coconuts. Year: 1995 Description: Coconut palms (Cocos nucifera) inhabit the entire tropical belt. They were the only palms common to both the Old and t ...
Project 1 Title: untitled. Seeding the Indian Ocean (between Europe and S. E. Asia) with text-coconuts. Year: 1995 Description: Coconut palms (Cocos nucifera) inhabit the entire tropical belt. They were the only palms common to both the Old and t ...