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.

Placid Earth: A Project for the Meeting of Millennia - Cai Guo Quiang

<A Public Misery Message> - Critical Art Ensemble

The World Record - General Idea

Nicht realisierte Projekte - Stefan Demary

WATERWORKS - Mona Hatoum

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

Right-of-Privacy Release - Tony Oursler

Invitation Space No.1 - Tania Mouraud

Attitudine Diplomatica - Hermann Pitz

PROJECT FOR A COMMUNITY CENTER, AVENUE DES NARCISSES, CHENOVE - Vito Acconci

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
#
Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W5317
18.10.2012
Apostol Kardamov
WWW
To starting form early 19th century, industrial revolution had spread all around the world with enormous impact. Individual countries got infected differently by this magnificent influence. This difference ( in my view point) comes from culture. ...
To starting form early 19th century, industrial revolution had spread all around the world with enormous impact. Individual countries got infected differently by this magnificent influence. This difference ( in my view point) comes from culture. ...
W5032
31.08.2012
Peter Friedl
WWW
When Roger M. Buergel was appointed artistic director of documenta 12, I was asked to develop some ideas for the visual design of d12. I quickly started with research work at the documenta archives in Kassel. Due to ill communication it didn't make much s ...
When Roger M. Buergel was appointed artistic director of documenta 12, I was asked to develop some ideas for the visual design of d12. I quickly started with research work at the documenta archives in Kassel. Due to ill communication it didn't make much s ...
W3881
19.05.2011
Ned James & the Swifts
WWW
Proposal: Part 1. Use the artists fee to place 1000 £1 bets on the races during St Patrick’s Day. Dressed as the embodiment of St Patrick placing the bets one after another will take all day and create a performance of endurance and intrigue. T ...
Proposal: Part 1. Use the artists fee to place 1000 £1 bets on the races during St Patrick’s Day. Dressed as the embodiment of St Patrick placing the bets one after another will take all day and create a performance of endurance and intrigue. T ...
W5131
19.09.2012
Gods Acre - Leo Morrissey
WWW
Project: gods acre Each day I walk to work I walk through God’s Acre, a Moravian cemetery. The section of the cemetery I walk through is where the women and men are buried. An important part of the Moravian burial practice is that individuals ar ...
Project: gods acre Each day I walk to work I walk through God’s Acre, a Moravian cemetery. The section of the cemetery I walk through is where the women and men are buried. An important part of the Moravian burial practice is that individuals ar ...
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 ...
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 ...
W4265
24.05.2011
Kristin Jones / Andrew Ginzel
WWW
Project for Hypothetical Pond Sonsbeek Arnheim, The Netherlands 1986 ...
Project for Hypothetical Pond Sonsbeek Arnheim, The Netherlands 1986 ...
W5169
26.09.2012
The winnipeg free museum  - Kendra Place
WWW
The winnipeg free museum (2009–2010) was an impossible, dividual artists' project. If Museums are being built as walled inspiration, promising experience and claiming to face the (carceral/) future, would the non-built or dematerialized, situated within ...
The winnipeg free museum (2009–2010) was an impossible, dividual artists' project. If Museums are being built as walled inspiration, promising experience and claiming to face the (carceral/) future, would the non-built or dematerialized, situated within ...
W5080
06.09.2012
Urban Void 05  - Toornend & Post
WWW
Urban Void 05 (Villa), Am Grossen Wannsee, Berlin (D) 2006 (lambdaprint 1665×4190 pixels) Urban Voids offer spatial relief, unexpected views and twisted collective memories by the apparently simple act of removal; Urban Voids are architectures antipod ...
Urban Void 05 (Villa), Am Grossen Wannsee, Berlin (D) 2006 (lambdaprint 1665×4190 pixels) Urban Voids offer spatial relief, unexpected views and twisted collective memories by the apparently simple act of removal; Urban Voids are architectures antipod ...
W4291
24.05.2011
Madeleine Edberg
WWW
I have realized various installations on different current themes. The consequences of the accidents in nuclear centers from the years -50 to the present day, in Canada, France, United Kingdom, Russia, the USA, Japan... make you think: are they not pla ...
I have realized various installations on different current themes. The consequences of the accidents in nuclear centers from the years -50 to the present day, in Canada, France, United Kingdom, Russia, the USA, Japan... make you think: are they not pla ...
W5174
26.09.2012
Somewhere at the top there's a swimming pool - Charlie Coffey
WWW
Title: Somewhere at the top there's a swimming pool (Failed Proposal For Shoreditch House) Date: 2007 Medium: Biro sketch on A4 office paper (unframed) Charlie Coffey Somewhere at the top there's a swimming pool (Failed Proposal For Shoreditch House) ...
Title: Somewhere at the top there's a swimming pool (Failed Proposal For Shoreditch House) Date: 2007 Medium: Biro sketch on A4 office paper (unframed) Charlie Coffey Somewhere at the top there's a swimming pool (Failed Proposal For Shoreditch House) ...
W5229
08.10.2012
Rebecca king
WWW
Rebecca King RebeccakingArt@yahoo.co.uk RebeccaKingArt.co.uk I studied Fine Art Printmaking at the University of Brighton. I am constantly documenting my experiences in urban surroundings by taking photos, drawing and collecting imagery. These will ...
Rebecca King RebeccakingArt@yahoo.co.uk RebeccaKingArt.co.uk I studied Fine Art Printmaking at the University of Brighton. I am constantly documenting my experiences in urban surroundings by taking photos, drawing and collecting imagery. These will ...
W5218
07.10.2012
Batta Mon - OKAMOTO Mitsuhiro
WWW
In this case, I mean unaccomplished exhibition period as 'unrealized project'. After the show started, Louis Vuitton has asked KOBE FASHION MUSEUM to stop showing my artwork 'Batta Mon', to stop selling the show catalog and also to remove the show poster ...
In this case, I mean unaccomplished exhibition period as 'unrealized project'. After the show started, Louis Vuitton has asked KOBE FASHION MUSEUM to stop showing my artwork 'Batta Mon', to stop selling the show catalog and also to remove the show poster ...
W4987
28.08.2012
Iranian Modernity during Qajar period - Reza Afhami, Farinaz Farbod
WWW
Iranian Modernity during Qajar period During Qajar period, Iran starts the modernity and attention to Europe as an pattern of development. This series of digital photo arts tries to show the various aspects of Iranian modernity through the combination ...
Iranian Modernity during Qajar period During Qajar period, Iran starts the modernity and attention to Europe as an pattern of development. This series of digital photo arts tries to show the various aspects of Iranian modernity through the combination ...
U9838
01.01.1985
Notebook Page: Home in the Form of a Banana with Garage,  - Claes Oldenburg
Unbuilt Roads
Pencil and watercolor on paper, 5 3/4 x 4 in. (14.6 x 10.2 cm) ...
Pencil and watercolor on paper, 5 3/4 x 4 in. (14.6 x 10.2 cm) ...
W4691
26.05.2011
ZOE MACKLER
WWW
George W. Bush Indicted for Crimes Against Humanity ...
George W. Bush Indicted for Crimes Against Humanity ...
W4188
24.05.2011
BIOTOPS - petra novakova ondreickova
WWW
I would like to create a largespace installation made by the paper. Title of work : BIOTOPS. Technique wich I would to use for my work created is filigran- perforated paper. Long-term work I interest on the paper. ...
I would like to create a largespace installation made by the paper. Title of work : BIOTOPS. Technique wich I would to use for my work created is filigran- perforated paper. Long-term work I interest on the paper. ...
W4495
25.05.2011
The Crystal Pavilion - Walker and Walker
WWW
The project The Crystal Pavilion is to construct Wassili Luckhardt’s Cult Building from1920. This unrealized project exists only as a drawing and was made by Luckhardt when he was a member of the Crystal Chain group. The Glass Chain or Crystal Chain s ...
The project The Crystal Pavilion is to construct Wassili Luckhardt’s Cult Building from1920. This unrealized project exists only as a drawing and was made by Luckhardt when he was a member of the Crystal Chain group. The Glass Chain or Crystal Chain s ...
U9660
01.01.1995
Double Exposure 1995-6  - Dan Graham
Unbuilt Roads
This pavilion is enterable through a sliding 2-way mirror door in one side, is sited in a landscape with some trees, a large visible vista. The 4m x 4m x 4m pavilion has two 2-way mirror sides. The third side is a cibachrome transparency which shows th ...
This pavilion is enterable through a sliding 2-way mirror door in one side, is sited in a landscape with some trees, a large visible vista. The 4m x 4m x 4m pavilion has two 2-way mirror sides. The third side is a cibachrome transparency which shows th ...
W4107
23.05.2011
Warning (Potters Bar) - Victoria Halford and Steve Beard
WWW
An unrealisable proposal for a public sculpture Intention Warning ( Potters Bar) is a proposal to reconstruct an emblematic moment from a train derailment which occurred in England in 2002. The life-size sculpture would consist of a wrecked train carr ...
An unrealisable proposal for a public sculpture Intention Warning ( Potters Bar) is a proposal to reconstruct an emblematic moment from a train derailment which occurred in England in 2002. The life-size sculpture would consist of a wrecked train carr ...
W5468
21.10.2012
Sweet Auburn Multiscape - Alex Kerr
WWW
This contains a proposal for the Sweet Auburn Multiscape. It is a steel sculpture that mimics the skyline seen in the Sweet Auburn district in Atlanta over 40 years ago. The purpose of this piece is to reactivate the neglected neighborhood by calling atte ...
This contains a proposal for the Sweet Auburn Multiscape. It is a steel sculpture that mimics the skyline seen in the Sweet Auburn district in Atlanta over 40 years ago. The purpose of this piece is to reactivate the neglected neighborhood by calling atte ...
W4350
24.05.2011
Far Along - ap-art-ment
WWW
Far Along Part 1 of Far Along will be a boat expedition/mobile exhibition to the Farallon Islands, officially a part of the City of San Francisco, though located 27 miles offshore. Forty-five participants will sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, and out ...
Far Along Part 1 of Far Along will be a boat expedition/mobile exhibition to the Farallon Islands, officially a part of the City of San Francisco, though located 27 miles offshore. Forty-five participants will sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, and out ...
W4619
25.05.2011
Fly me to outer space  - Spiros Hadjidjanos
WWW
Fly me to outer space This project explores new power relations between a networked public and the artist as well as the process of funding an artwork through crowdfunding to its extreme. The idea of this project is a journey to outer space with the for ...
Fly me to outer space This project explores new power relations between a networked public and the artist as well as the process of funding an artwork through crowdfunding to its extreme. The idea of this project is a journey to outer space with the for ...
W4234
24.05.2011
Elise Lammer
WWW
This work is an homage to the lost artwork by John Baldessari "Untitled (after Palm Tree (for Charlemagne)" 1975. This unrealized project aims to collect similar postcards as the ones displayed in Peter Kirby's documentary and recreate Baldessari's lost ...
This work is an homage to the lost artwork by John Baldessari "Untitled (after Palm Tree (for Charlemagne)" 1975. This unrealized project aims to collect similar postcards as the ones displayed in Peter Kirby's documentary and recreate Baldessari's lost ...
W4923
18.08.2012
Hadas Tapouchi
WWW
TadasTapouchiArtist_Statement. The main reason for myself to apply to this open call is to work in a new environment and to find (new) artistic ways of expression, and off course to Stimulate art on live, Create a beneficial environment for the deve ...
TadasTapouchiArtist_Statement. The main reason for myself to apply to this open call is to work in a new environment and to find (new) artistic ways of expression, and off course to Stimulate art on live, Create a beneficial environment for the deve ...
W4648
25.05.2011
NATURE CAN ALL  - Urssa Severa
WWW
NATURE CAN ALL A Land art project by Urssa Severa A land art project that aims to interrogate Nature as a representative of God´s masterpiece about its own contradictions. Intervention #1 A symbolist or abstract approach will be proposed, where two phr ...
NATURE CAN ALL A Land art project by Urssa Severa A land art project that aims to interrogate Nature as a representative of God´s masterpiece about its own contradictions. Intervention #1 A symbolist or abstract approach will be proposed, where two phr ...