Agency of Unrealised Projects
Continue
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.

Click to continue...


Ceinture - Huang Ping Yong

MODELL OF AN OFFICE FOR A COUPLE OF TWINS, BOTH 1,38 TALL" - Tobias Rehrenberg

City Hall Tower Night Ilumination - Krysztof Wodiczko

"Ileana, I love you" - Maurizo Cattelan

Uncompleted 1966 - and on  - John Armleder

WATERWORKS - Mona Hatoum

My House - Uri Tzaig

Double Exposure 1995-6  - Dan Graham

d'un projet dédié aux victimes de la Shoah. - Christian Boltanski

Project for the Initiative Mahnmal Homosexuellenverfolgung, Frankfurt  - Jeff Wall

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
#
Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4491
25.05.2011
An unrealized high relief sculpture project from Istanbul. - Dilara Akay
WWW
An unrealized high relief sculpture project from Istanbul. In October 2010 I was asked to propose a work for a building of a leading Turkish retail operation brand's headquarters in Istanbul. I made the presentation at the beginning of February 2011. And ...
An unrealized high relief sculpture project from Istanbul. In October 2010 I was asked to propose a work for a building of a leading Turkish retail operation brand's headquarters in Istanbul. I made the presentation at the beginning of February 2011. And ...
, ,
W4189
24.05.2011
“What It’s Gonna Take“ - Anne Herzblut
WWW
“What It’s Gonna Take“ An installation about death, time and consumption The initial point fort this installation are thoughts about a very common place: about my own death. The question is: HOW MANY things and HOW MUCH I will need until I die ...
“What It’s Gonna Take“ An installation about death, time and consumption The initial point fort this installation are thoughts about a very common place: about my own death. The question is: HOW MANY things and HOW MUCH I will need until I die ...
, ,
D10795
01.01.2000
Life Exchange - Carolina Caycedo
DAAD
This project consists in bartering your life for mine. Este proyecto consiste en intercambiar tu vida por la mía. Dieses Projekt besteht darin, Ihr Leben gegen meines zu tauschen. If interested please contact: Interesados contactar: Be ...
This project consists in bartering your life for mine. Este proyecto consiste en intercambiar tu vida por la mía. Dieses Projekt besteht darin, Ihr Leben gegen meines zu tauschen. If interested please contact: Interesados contactar: Be ...
, , ,
W4065
23.05.2011
THE COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND RADIATION (CMB) FROM THE BIG BANG - Rick Doble
WWW
A PROPOSAL BY RICK DOBLE FOR AN UNREALIZED ART PROJECT BASED ON PROCESSING THE COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND RADIATION (CMB) FROM THE BIG BANG In 2003 I proposed an art project (see my submitted copy of my proposal to the Exploratorium in San Francisco ...
A PROPOSAL BY RICK DOBLE FOR AN UNREALIZED ART PROJECT BASED ON PROCESSING THE COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND RADIATION (CMB) FROM THE BIG BANG In 2003 I proposed an art project (see my submitted copy of my proposal to the Exploratorium in San Francisco ...
,
W10927
20.06.2015
If all the waves can be saved - Yifei He
WWW
One room, one chair with endless waves. I want to put waves into one space, it will end at the middle of the space, put one chair towards the waves . People can not step twice into the same river, and people also can not meet the very same two waves. ...
One room, one chair with endless waves. I want to put waves into one space, it will end at the middle of the space, put one chair towards the waves . People can not step twice into the same river, and people also can not meet the very same two waves. ...
, , , , ,
W3620
14.05.2011
GORGES - JACQUELINE BELOTTI
WWW
“The lift is the most widely used means of transport in big cities. The metal box illuminated, panel with buttons and, in some cases, a mirror, gives the vertical displacement in a very simple way, and requires us to share our living space with stranger ...
“The lift is the most widely used means of transport in big cities. The metal box illuminated, panel with buttons and, in some cases, a mirror, gives the vertical displacement in a very simple way, and requires us to share our living space with stranger ...
, , ,
W3584
13.05.2011
Proposal to an open call for the 2011 Emdash Award - Boris Dornbusch
WWW
The following project was a proposal to an open call for the 2011 Emdash Award. However, it is an idea I have developed in response to any Art Fair: A smaller-scale replica of the Frieze's exhibition tent is pitched in the exhibition pavilion. ...
The following project was a proposal to an open call for the 2011 Emdash Award. However, it is an idea I have developed in response to any Art Fair: A smaller-scale replica of the Frieze's exhibition tent is pitched in the exhibition pavilion. ...
, ,
W3533
11.05.2011
The Pagoda - Michael Jantzen
WWW
Would be made from sustainably grown Western Red Cedar wood. Approximately twenty one feet wide, fifteen feet deep, and eighteen feet tall. ...
Would be made from sustainably grown Western Red Cedar wood. Approximately twenty one feet wide, fifteen feet deep, and eighteen feet tall. ...
, , ,
W4659
25.05.2011
Correspondence. - Mark Rowan-Hull
WWW
Correspondence. Hearing /Vision. 2010. I am a visual artist who works mostly live in performance with Music. This work has evolved partly through my own joint practice as an artist and musician and through my own unique experience of seeing music and ...
Correspondence. Hearing /Vision. 2010. I am a visual artist who works mostly live in performance with Music. This work has evolved partly through my own joint practice as an artist and musician and through my own unique experience of seeing music and ...
,
W4423
25.05.2011
Suspended in the Void  - Juan G. Caicedo D.
WWW
Suspended in the Void In the courtyard of the building, on the corner between the northern and eastern façades there is a balcony. In front of it a large object is suspended, it is not a magical event, it does not float miraculously: it hangs from a re ...
Suspended in the Void In the courtyard of the building, on the corner between the northern and eastern façades there is a balcony. In front of it a large object is suspended, it is not a magical event, it does not float miraculously: it hangs from a re ...
, ,
W3954
20.05.2011
Doug Fogelson
WWW
This is a project to make a house shape out of chain link fence material, razor wire, fluorescent lights and plants. It was intended as a comment on Guantanamo Prison and the promise of American society. 10.4.06 Dear Mr. Littman, We would l ...
This is a project to make a house shape out of chain link fence material, razor wire, fluorescent lights and plants. It was intended as a comment on Guantanamo Prison and the promise of American society. 10.4.06 Dear Mr. Littman, We would l ...
, ,
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. ...
, ,
W4110
23.05.2011
The Circumference is Everywhere - Daniel R Small
WWW
The Circumference is Everywhere, 2011 100 miles Northeast of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert lies a city abandoned in advance of itself, a ruin that is an aerial monument to misguided optimism that was conceived of by Nat Mendelsohn and intended to r ...
The Circumference is Everywhere, 2011 100 miles Northeast of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert lies a city abandoned in advance of itself, a ruin that is an aerial monument to misguided optimism that was conceived of by Nat Mendelsohn and intended to r ...
, ,
W3752
18.05.2011
Proposal for an Art-Science cooperation for solar lighting a Lebanese village - roula sorour
WWW
My project was a proposal to light up a village in Lebanon using solar power in cooperation with a local University. My proposal was hurried and could have been written better. I never did receive a reply to my proposal. From: Roula Sorour <r@roula ...
My project was a proposal to light up a village in Lebanon using solar power in cooperation with a local University. My proposal was hurried and could have been written better. I never did receive a reply to my proposal. From: Roula Sorour <r@roula ...
, , ,
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 ...
, , ,
W4752
27.05.2011
Abstract Shapes & Forms - G.F. Zaimis
WWW
Statement Blurring boundaries of art and architecture, G.F. Zaimis work explores the nature of shape and form from the most minimal to monumental, abstract to literal, painting to photography. The essence of her work addresses architecture’s shap ...
Statement Blurring boundaries of art and architecture, G.F. Zaimis work explores the nature of shape and form from the most minimal to monumental, abstract to literal, painting to photography. The essence of her work addresses architecture’s shap ...
, ,
W5314
17.10.2012
Panikon deima - Cynthia Reynolds
WWW
An unrealized electrostatic installation Below is part of a detailed proposal prepared for me by an organometallic chemist I contacted via the Internet in 2005 and corresponded with over a two-year period. He had a website expressing a personal interes ...
An unrealized electrostatic installation Below is part of a detailed proposal prepared for me by an organometallic chemist I contacted via the Internet in 2005 and corresponded with over a two-year period. He had a website expressing a personal interes ...
, ,
W3737
18.05.2011
Pharos - Felippe Moraes
WWW
The installation “Pharos” consists in a 7m scaffold with a “moving head” lighting device that permits the yellow horizontal spinning light beam required for the work. This strong beam spins 365° horizontally, evoking the very symbolic ...
The installation “Pharos” consists in a 7m scaffold with a “moving head” lighting device that permits the yellow horizontal spinning light beam required for the work. This strong beam spins 365° horizontally, evoking the very symbolic ...
, ,
W3939
20.05.2011
R. Marcos Mota
WWW
DESCRIPTION The project consists of built inside the Civic Centre Sant Andreu a toilet for the disabled who do not meet standards of accessibility measures.

 It will build a separate room of existing toilets within the Civic Center that the dynamics ...
DESCRIPTION The project consists of built inside the Civic Centre Sant Andreu a toilet for the disabled who do not meet standards of accessibility measures.

 It will build a separate room of existing toilets within the Civic Center that the dynamics ...
, ,
W4541
25.05.2011
Project SUN RITE “BAPTISME”  - Maria Dundakova
WWW
Project SUN RITE “BAPTISME” The central theme of the Biennale Sao Paulo was “The Holistic Global Tendencies of Humankind at the End of the 20th Century”. Based on the personal invitation of the jury of the Biennale, I further developed the pro ...
Project SUN RITE “BAPTISME” The central theme of the Biennale Sao Paulo was “The Holistic Global Tendencies of Humankind at the End of the 20th Century”. Based on the personal invitation of the jury of the Biennale, I further developed the pro ...
, ,
W5456
20.10.2012
“short hi.stories” series - Plamen Yordanov
WWW
waste not art “short hi.stories” series 1995 – ongoing unrealized/unrealizable project intended for installation at the Serpentine Gallery, London (or any other museum that wishes to exhibit the project) by Plamen Yordanov descriptio ...
waste not art “short hi.stories” series 1995 – ongoing unrealized/unrealizable project intended for installation at the Serpentine Gallery, London (or any other museum that wishes to exhibit the project) by Plamen Yordanov descriptio ...
, , , , , ,
W4211
24.05.2011
Elpida Karaba
WWW
Curating Un-realized. 9+1 Un-Realized Projects Revisited. Elpida Karaba, independent curator, theorist, Athens, Greece. In 2005 I have organized the curatorial/publication project, Curating Issues, 9+1 Un-Realized Projects. ...
Curating Un-realized. 9+1 Un-Realized Projects Revisited. Elpida Karaba, independent curator, theorist, Athens, Greece. In 2005 I have organized the curatorial/publication project, Curating Issues, 9+1 Un-Realized Projects. ...
W4283
24.05.2011
STEREO-MONOCANAL LIVE SET  - Marc Serra Roca
WWW
STEREO-MONOCANAL LIVE SET Stereo-Monocal live set deconstructs a digital audio mixer in an analogical, live and experiential medium. Both audio channels are represented by two streets running along a canal in Amsterdam, now morphed into audio gangway ...
STEREO-MONOCANAL LIVE SET Stereo-Monocal live set deconstructs a digital audio mixer in an analogical, live and experiential medium. Both audio channels are represented by two streets running along a canal in Amsterdam, now morphed into audio gangway ...
, ,
W3882
19.05.2011
Wheatfields - Carlo Marcucci
WWW
Large imaginary sculptures made of pasta strands. These non-existent structures are based on the "Wheatfields" body of work. "Wheatfields" are existent wall-mounted sculptures made of spaghetti and various kinds on noodles applied to wood. "The Gate" ...
Large imaginary sculptures made of pasta strands. These non-existent structures are based on the "Wheatfields" body of work. "Wheatfields" are existent wall-mounted sculptures made of spaghetti and various kinds on noodles applied to wood. "The Gate" ...
, , , ,
W4530
25.05.2011
Star Museum in Sharjah by A12 - A12 Star Museum in Sharjah
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 ...
, ,
W4599
25.05.2011
Oh Buck, horse heartbreak - Bethany Fancher
WWW
Oh Buck, horse heartbreak Posted by Bethany Jean at 6/11/2008 11:43 AM Categories: horse travel Well, circumstances don't provide enough time for Buck to feel ok being in a trailer. Karin's job ended early and it is time to go. Buck is staying on the ...
Oh Buck, horse heartbreak Posted by Bethany Jean at 6/11/2008 11:43 AM Categories: horse travel Well, circumstances don't provide enough time for Buck to feel ok being in a trailer. Karin's job ended early and it is time to go. Buck is staying on the ...
,