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.

Unbetitelt, Gänse-Projekt + Noch unbetitelt , " Durch den Mund sehen " + Kartoffeln  - Carsten Holler

CIVITAS Stadtpostkarten - Lothar Baumgarten

Post Photographic apparatus - Steven Pippin

Untitled, modeled after the Leipzig Völkerschlachtdenkmal...  - Jenny Holzer

Billboard - Jimmie Durham

Milan House (AC/DC & Joy Division) - Liam Gillick

Monument with Rust - Gustav Metzger

The insurer - Fabrice Hybert

"400" - Manfred Pernice

Aus: Katalog 'Kunst bleibt Kunst' - Hans Peter Feldman

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
#
Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4831
07.08.2012
Noa P. Kaplan
WWW
The lens is composed of countless arrays of glass microspheres, connected by a mesh of tiny lens fibers, and encircled by the Ciliary Muscle of the eye. Electric signals pass through the nanofiber mesh, carrying datasets of folding patterns. When activate ...
The lens is composed of countless arrays of glass microspheres, connected by a mesh of tiny lens fibers, and encircled by the Ciliary Muscle of the eye. Electric signals pass through the nanofiber mesh, carrying datasets of folding patterns. When activate ...
W4412
25.05.2011
The Room102 Collective  - Room102 (Eleni Frudaraki & Juan Caicedo)
WWW
The Room102 Collective is a recently formed art collective currently in the pursue of finding what bonds it together conceptually. In it take part at the moment: Eleni Froudaraki * 1984 in Crete, Greece. She studied painting and sculpture in Athens School ...
The Room102 Collective is a recently formed art collective currently in the pursue of finding what bonds it together conceptually. In it take part at the moment: Eleni Froudaraki * 1984 in Crete, Greece. She studied painting and sculpture in Athens School ...
W5382
19.10.2012
Marina Stavrou
WWW
By Marina Stavrou The ‘Unrealized project’ I am foreshadowing made its first ‘appearance’ first in 2011. The work tried to make visible the experience of keeping a secret. This secret took the form of bread for the shooting of a 16mm and ...
By Marina Stavrou The ‘Unrealized project’ I am foreshadowing made its first ‘appearance’ first in 2011. The work tried to make visible the experience of keeping a secret. This secret took the form of bread for the shooting of a 16mm and ...
W3590
13.05.2011
IN-OUTDOOR PROJECT - Helena Trindade
WWW
Unrealized Public Art Project For images and text please refer to the PDF ...
Unrealized Public Art Project For images and text please refer to the PDF ...
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. ...
W4499
25.05.2011
The frozen Plattenbau in Eisenhüttenstadt - Karl Kilian
WWW
The frozen Plattenbau in Eisenhüttenstadt A short history of Eisenhüttenstadt of ‘first socialist city on German soil’ Eisenhüttenstadt is a town in the Oder-Spree district of Brandenburg, Germany at the border to Poland. While the communist ae ...
The frozen Plattenbau in Eisenhüttenstadt A short history of Eisenhüttenstadt of ‘first socialist city on German soil’ Eisenhüttenstadt is a town in the Oder-Spree district of Brandenburg, Germany at the border to Poland. While the communist ae ...
U9665
01.01.1967
Unrealized Turtles 1967 - Joseph Grigely
Unbuilt Roads
Basically, a short history about why I never became an illustrator of turtles - of wild animals - or of anything else At Birchland Park School, Mrs. Donahue taught art and Mrs. Corliss taught music. The art classes were okay because I drew turtles all ...
Basically, a short history about why I never became an illustrator of turtles - of wild animals - or of anything else At Birchland Park School, Mrs. Donahue taught art and Mrs. Corliss taught music. The art classes were okay because I drew turtles all ...
W5489
26.10.2012
The Greatest Show on Earth is Leaving - Sascha Pohflepp
WWW
The Greatest Show on Earth is Leaving 3000 helium-filled balloons are held in place form the column-like vertical plume that resembles the one found just after the launch of a space rocket. After being released, the column dissipates under the influenc ...
The Greatest Show on Earth is Leaving 3000 helium-filled balloons are held in place form the column-like vertical plume that resembles the one found just after the launch of a space rocket. After being released, the column dissipates under the influenc ...
W3613
13.05.2011
DINEDROMOSCOPE - Francesco Spampinato
WWW
Dinedromoscope (from Greek: δινη, “vortex”, δρομοs, “run” e σkοπη, “to examine”) PLAN A Dinedromoscope is a project destined to the involvement of the visitors of the Guggenheim Museum, New York, who are invited to throw thems ...
Dinedromoscope (from Greek: δινη, “vortex”, δρομοs, “run” e σkοπη, “to examine”) PLAN A Dinedromoscope is a project destined to the involvement of the visitors of the Guggenheim Museum, New York, who are invited to throw thems ...
W5279
15.10.2012
Brommibrücke - Filip Jonker
WWW
From: info@filipjonker.nl Subject: Anfrage zur temporaerer Nutzung Brommibruecke Date: June 9, 2009 12:29:07 PM GMT+02:00 To: ingeborg.junge-reyer@senstadt.berlin.de Betreff: Anfrage zur temporaerer Nutzung des alten Brueckenpfeilers der Brommibruecke um ...
From: info@filipjonker.nl Subject: Anfrage zur temporaerer Nutzung Brommibruecke Date: June 9, 2009 12:29:07 PM GMT+02:00 To: ingeborg.junge-reyer@senstadt.berlin.de Betreff: Anfrage zur temporaerer Nutzung des alten Brueckenpfeilers der Brommibruecke um ...
W5156
24.09.2012
Packet Switching - Joelle Dietrick + Owen Mundy
WWW
Packet Switching is an ongoing body of work by Joelle Dietrick and Owen Mundy that visualizes architecture as fragments affected by economic and communications systems. A series of related prints and animations are available for the exhibition. ...
Packet Switching is an ongoing body of work by Joelle Dietrick and Owen Mundy that visualizes architecture as fragments affected by economic and communications systems. A series of related prints and animations are available for the exhibition. ...
U9282
22.11.1992
Proposal for a permanent video installation for the NYC headquarters of Sony Corporation - Dara Birnbaum
Unbuilt Roads
INSTALLATION DESCRIPTION: At one end of the proposed installation space (main dining area designated for Sony employees), a wall is used to support a video wall or projection screen, which displays a seam-less flow of large-scale images. These large-s ...
INSTALLATION DESCRIPTION: At one end of the proposed installation space (main dining area designated for Sony employees), a wall is used to support a video wall or projection screen, which displays a seam-less flow of large-scale images. These large-s ...
W4445
25.05.2011
THE MODERN VERSION OF NOAH’S ARK - Birgitte Katborg Laursen
WWW
THE MODERN VERSION OF NOAH’S ARK In 2003-2005, ÖO’K Aquatic Structures AB (www.ook.se) designed a technologically advanced, sustainable houseboat prototype. The superstructure of the houseboat was designed in collaboration with the engineering f ...
THE MODERN VERSION OF NOAH’S ARK In 2003-2005, ÖO’K Aquatic Structures AB (www.ook.se) designed a technologically advanced, sustainable houseboat prototype. The superstructure of the houseboat was designed in collaboration with the engineering f ...
W10252
10.04.2014
Contact - Bastiaan Arler
WWW
In the summer of 1975 a fresh wind blew over the world. At a distance of 225 km, in orbit around the Earth, the USA and the USSR made contact as two spacecraft docked together in a sign of peace. In an instant it lightened the spirit of all of those caugh ...
In the summer of 1975 a fresh wind blew over the world. At a distance of 225 km, in orbit around the Earth, the USA and the USSR made contact as two spacecraft docked together in a sign of peace. In an instant it lightened the spirit of all of those caugh ...
W4501
25.05.2011
My Modern Life
WWW
My Modern Life _ text The project shows the search of young Latvians for indivudual aims, wishes, planes, freedom and others – in Latvian, English, German and Russian. It is an interdisciplinary project of film, photography and interverntion i ...
My Modern Life _ text The project shows the search of young Latvians for indivudual aims, wishes, planes, freedom and others – in Latvian, English, German and Russian. It is an interdisciplinary project of film, photography and interverntion i ...
W4451
25.05.2011
God Only Knows - Declan Rooney
WWW
God Only Knows Concept: Inside a sand pit and framed from behind by a blue wooden wall, I will dig my hands and feet into Dublin sand, collecting mounds of the material. Then I will elevate both hands and feet above the ground, attempting to hold this a ...
God Only Knows Concept: Inside a sand pit and framed from behind by a blue wooden wall, I will dig my hands and feet into Dublin sand, collecting mounds of the material. Then I will elevate both hands and feet above the ground, attempting to hold this a ...
W4613
25.05.2011
'Fish tank of snake eyes' - Valerie Driscoll
WWW
'Fish tank of snake eyes' A glass tank (measuring 60 cm x 60 cm and 40 cm tall). On the base of the tank will stand approximately 50-60 erect penises made from glass. Each glass penis will be life size and will be different in shape and size (preferably ...
'Fish tank of snake eyes' A glass tank (measuring 60 cm x 60 cm and 40 cm tall). On the base of the tank will stand approximately 50-60 erect penises made from glass. Each glass penis will be life size and will be different in shape and size (preferably ...
W3484
11.05.2011
Cenotaph /Golden Matress (working title) - Hannes Bend
WWW
Cenotaph /Golden Matress (working title) By Hannes Bend Cenotaph/Golden Mattress (working title), will be a life-size candy cast golden mattress. The sculpture will be left unvarnished, inviting the viewers to lick the vertically standing piece. Pla ...
Cenotaph /Golden Matress (working title) By Hannes Bend Cenotaph/Golden Mattress (working title), will be a life-size candy cast golden mattress. The sculpture will be left unvarnished, inviting the viewers to lick the vertically standing piece. Pla ...
W3700
17.05.2011
Las Spratlys Project - Jevijoe Vitug
WWW
Las Spratlys Project The unrealized project Las Spratlys is based on Spratly Islands, a disputed islands claimed by China, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. The initial concept is to activate these islands by creating a joint venture agreement ...
Las Spratlys Project The unrealized project Las Spratlys is based on Spratly Islands, a disputed islands claimed by China, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. The initial concept is to activate these islands by creating a joint venture agreement ...
W3965
21.05.2011
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 ...
W4709
26.05.2011
A Sculpture on Another Sculpture - Eduardo Villanueva
WWW
A SCULPTURE ON ANOTHER SCULPTURE An artwork by Eduardo Villanueva. Through the appropriation of an existing sculpture, I will intervene the same sculpture by altering it and doing another sculpture above the pre-existing one, acting as the pattern of ...
A SCULPTURE ON ANOTHER SCULPTURE An artwork by Eduardo Villanueva. Through the appropriation of an existing sculpture, I will intervene the same sculpture by altering it and doing another sculpture above the pre-existing one, acting as the pattern of ...
W4910
14.08.2012
General Valeriano Weyler - Daniela Ortiz in collaboration with Xose Quiroga
WWW
GENERAL VALERIANO WEYLER by Daniela Ortiz & Xose Quiroga The Spanish nation constantly recognises as national pride personalities as Christopher Columbus, Francisco Pizarro, Diego de Almagro or Hernan Cortés; diverse streets, plazas and monuments re ...
GENERAL VALERIANO WEYLER by Daniela Ortiz & Xose Quiroga The Spanish nation constantly recognises as national pride personalities as Christopher Columbus, Francisco Pizarro, Diego de Almagro or Hernan Cortés; diverse streets, plazas and monuments re ...
W4692
26.05.2011
Arachne - Miranda Leigh
WWW
"Arachne" 2001-present 50 x 11 x 60 inches Bull penis, Ingas wood, fulgurite, titanium, aluminum, brass, enamels, and artist's hair "Arachne" is an allegorical portrait of the intense struggle between pride and humility, courage and fear, that nearl ...
"Arachne" 2001-present 50 x 11 x 60 inches Bull penis, Ingas wood, fulgurite, titanium, aluminum, brass, enamels, and artist's hair "Arachne" is an allegorical portrait of the intense struggle between pride and humility, courage and fear, that nearl ...
W5399
20.10.2012
Matters of Appearance
WWW
About us: We are Matters Of Appearance, an artist group (USA/Germany). We work with language, text and performance. www.mattersofappearance.com This project (unrealized): We found this graffiti on a barn wall somewhere: "Selbst schuld" (It's ...
About us: We are Matters Of Appearance, an artist group (USA/Germany). We work with language, text and performance. www.mattersofappearance.com This project (unrealized): We found this graffiti on a barn wall somewhere: "Selbst schuld" (It's ...
U9769
05.02.1997
Chen H.V.O + G.T. - Bertrand Lavier
Unbuilt Roads
J'ai [illegible] de [illegible] un faux [?]drome vous l' echangeur automatic à l'etui de la ville du Hare. [Illegible] monde itait d'accord, c'ert la virou [illegible] [?]quelle cela ne it[?] pas fuit. [illegible] 5.2.97 ...
J'ai [illegible] de [illegible] un faux [?]drome vous l' echangeur automatic à l'etui de la ville du Hare. [Illegible] monde itait d'accord, c'ert la virou [illegible] [?]quelle cela ne it[?] pas fuit. [illegible] 5.2.97 ...
W3868
19.05.2011
“The Good, The Bad, The Now” 350 word FRANKLIN FURNACE proposal - Chris Twomey
WWW
Using narrative structure that will engage potential viewers through the drama of the visual story telling, my project is essentially a visual memoir and performance piece with words. Using pre-determined amount of time, for instance 3 months, I will pub ...
Using narrative structure that will engage potential viewers through the drama of the visual story telling, my project is essentially a visual memoir and performance piece with words. Using pre-determined amount of time, for instance 3 months, I will pub ...