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.

PROPOSALl + VOORSTEL - Guillame Bijl

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

Entwurf für einen erneuerten Malkasten 1992 - 1994 - Ulrike Holthöfer

Financial Times Millennium Bridge Competition - Richard Serra and Frank Gehry

City Hall Tower Night Ilumination - Krysztof Wodiczko

Catwalk - Sylive Fleury

"Free Space" - Michelangelo Pistoletto

Visual Poem: Cap I Cua - Joan Brossa

Projet pour la Place Saint Léger à Chambery  - Erik Dietman

Time Magazine Cover - Robert Rauschenberg

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4429
25.05.2011
The Snow Leopard Garden - Yutaka Sone
WWW
Yutaka Sone The Snow Leopard Garden Project for the wood of sculptures of Vassivière island, France July 2009 In the meadow, in the front of the Centre international d’art et du paysage and the dam In the framework of his solo exhibition for t ...
Yutaka Sone The Snow Leopard Garden Project for the wood of sculptures of Vassivière island, France July 2009 In the meadow, in the front of the Centre international d’art et du paysage and the dam In the framework of his solo exhibition for t ...
W4321
24.05.2011
This Never Happened - Vladimir Mitrev & Martina Baleva
WWW
This Never Happened Vladimir Mitrev & Martina Baleva Background of the project In 2007 an exhibition about the creation process of the painting “The Massacre of Batak” from 1892 by the Polish painter Antoni Piotrowski should have been shown ...
This Never Happened Vladimir Mitrev & Martina Baleva Background of the project In 2007 an exhibition about the creation process of the painting “The Massacre of Batak” from 1892 by the Polish painter Antoni Piotrowski should have been shown ...
W3974
21.05.2011
CLIFF PIPES PROPOSAL - Jason de Haan
WWW
A proposal for a set of organ pipes to be mounted on the face of an oceanic cliff. The pipes are to be mounted vertically on simple steel rods that are strategically placed along a section of cliff in order to translate strong vertical updrafts into indiv ...
A proposal for a set of organ pipes to be mounted on the face of an oceanic cliff. The pipes are to be mounted vertically on simple steel rods that are strategically placed along a section of cliff in order to translate strong vertical updrafts into indiv ...
W5368
19.10.2012
World Trade Center Memorial Proposal - Stephen Canneto
WWW
The design honors and celebrates the lives of those killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks. The figurative road to healing begins with a literal journey, with the soaring zenith of the Memorial Spire catching the eye of newly arriving visitors, ...
The design honors and celebrates the lives of those killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks. The figurative road to healing begins with a literal journey, with the soaring zenith of the Memorial Spire catching the eye of newly arriving visitors, ...
W4484
25.05.2011
Phobos self-degradation  - Toby Huddlestone
WWW
Phobos self-degradation – the artist sends a form of self-degrading archival document to the Mars moon Phobos. Stickney crater, Phobos. Imaged by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, March 23, 2008. Place Phobos, the largest of Mars' two moons, and th ...
Phobos self-degradation – the artist sends a form of self-degrading archival document to the Mars moon Phobos. Stickney crater, Phobos. Imaged by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, March 23, 2008. Place Phobos, the largest of Mars' two moons, and th ...
W5261
12.10.2012
Memory Confetti - Stephen j Shanabrook / Veronika Georgieva
WWW
STEPHEN j SHANABROOK / VERONIKA GEORGIEVA MEMORY CONFETTI The project MEMORY CONFETTI consists of two parts: through various social network sites we will introduce the project and request the public’s time based participation in sending us imag ...
STEPHEN j SHANABROOK / VERONIKA GEORGIEVA MEMORY CONFETTI The project MEMORY CONFETTI consists of two parts: through various social network sites we will introduce the project and request the public’s time based participation in sending us imag ...
W3618
14.05.2011
jason lazarus
WWW
I have started an archive of impossible art ideas. The archive, when exhibited, is a digitally projected slide show, projected on a small white wooden cube sitting on the floor of the exhibition space. ...
I have started an archive of impossible art ideas. The archive, when exhibited, is a digitally projected slide show, projected on a small white wooden cube sitting on the floor of the exhibition space. ...
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 ...
W4075
23.05.2011
Roxanne - Sara Brannan
WWW
An unrealised project based on a performance where live female vocals would be added karaoke style to an audio or video playback of the song ‘Roxanne’ by The Police. The Police’s song ‘Roxanne’ was inspired by Parisian prostitutes and in th ...
An unrealised project based on a performance where live female vocals would be added karaoke style to an audio or video playback of the song ‘Roxanne’ by The Police. The Police’s song ‘Roxanne’ was inspired by Parisian prostitutes and in th ...
W5007
30.08.2012
Berlin Childhood - Julia Brodauf
WWW
The project "Berlin Childhood" was proposed as an exhibition idea to Vattenfall for the Turbinenhalle at the Heizkraftwerk Moabit in combination with an edition. The edition will be realised, the exhibition project not... Und die Mädels mit ihren Rol ...
The project "Berlin Childhood" was proposed as an exhibition idea to Vattenfall for the Turbinenhalle at the Heizkraftwerk Moabit in combination with an edition. The edition will be realised, the exhibition project not... Und die Mädels mit ihren Rol ...
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 ...
W4498
25.05.2011
Elaine Leader
WWW
Proposal Model for Installation – Sensor activated walls that move back and forth alternately in the space very slowly using an automatic gate mechanism, dissecting the space and controlling the movement of the viewer within it, creating a disruption of ...
Proposal Model for Installation – Sensor activated walls that move back and forth alternately in the space very slowly using an automatic gate mechanism, dissecting the space and controlling the movement of the viewer within it, creating a disruption of ...
W5198
03.10.2012
Radiation Limit - Sarah Kanouse
WWW
Sarah Kanouse Radiation Limit (2007/2009) “Radiation Limit” commemorates the human radiation experiments sponsored by the Atomic Energy Commission from 1943 until at least 1974. The site-specific installation for the grounds around the Department ...
Sarah Kanouse Radiation Limit (2007/2009) “Radiation Limit” commemorates the human radiation experiments sponsored by the Atomic Energy Commission from 1943 until at least 1974. The site-specific installation for the grounds around the Department ...
W10357
18.04.2014
After The Flood - Ingrid Mayrhofer
WWW
This project marks the last exhibition of a selection of works on paper from my past 30 years in printmaking, photography and painting. During the July 2013 storm, my basement studio was flooded, and 60 pieces of my artwork were damaged. While the water d ...
This project marks the last exhibition of a selection of works on paper from my past 30 years in printmaking, photography and painting. During the July 2013 storm, my basement studio was flooded, and 60 pieces of my artwork were damaged. While the water d ...
W4517
25.05.2011
”I did go upstairs but I didn’t see nobody but me” - Daniel Permanetter
WWW
The work is a room installation basically consisting of a live-sized Bob Dylan puppet and an old wooden staircase. The staircase will be rebuild so it appears to be frozen in a crumbling movement. The whole installation is meant to resemble the interior o ...
The work is a room installation basically consisting of a live-sized Bob Dylan puppet and an old wooden staircase. The staircase will be rebuild so it appears to be frozen in a crumbling movement. The whole installation is meant to resemble the interior o ...
W4374
25.05.2011
Proposal for culture (an interactive installation)  - Thessia Machado
WWW
Proposal for culture (an interactive installation) I’ve been thinking about the different ways in which organisms can perceive their environment and adapt to it — capturing and responding to either images, air vibration, or smells, sounds, flavors, ...
Proposal for culture (an interactive installation) I’ve been thinking about the different ways in which organisms can perceive their environment and adapt to it — capturing and responding to either images, air vibration, or smells, sounds, flavors, ...
W4618
25.05.2011
L’Auditorium A,  - DEHOVE Claire
WWW
L’Auditorium A, Dans sa proximité se construit aujourd’hui l’un des derniers tronçons autorou- tiers. Si cette construction a défiguré le paysage naturel en laissant des cicatrices indélébiles dans la terre et la végétation, si elle a occa ...
L’Auditorium A, Dans sa proximité se construit aujourd’hui l’un des derniers tronçons autorou- tiers. Si cette construction a défiguré le paysage naturel en laissant des cicatrices indélébiles dans la terre et la végétation, si elle a occa ...
W4581
25.05.2011
Oasis Project Proposal  - Carrie Paterson
WWW
Image 1 Oasis Project Proposal circa 2002-2004 Drawings show a device for water collection, condensation, and purification connected by ‘stem’ to an underground storage tank, accessed via a tap that operates with a pressure pump to retrieve wate ...
Image 1 Oasis Project Proposal circa 2002-2004 Drawings show a device for water collection, condensation, and purification connected by ‘stem’ to an underground storage tank, accessed via a tap that operates with a pressure pump to retrieve wate ...
W4456
25.05.2011
Heaven on Earth: A room for reflection. - Leila Peacock
WWW
Heaven on Earth: A room for reflection. Lucretirus rendered his scientific theories in epic poetry, an intellect of extraordinary vision he imagined many things that would later be proved. He was the master of the thought experiment, staging complex pr ...
Heaven on Earth: A room for reflection. Lucretirus rendered his scientific theories in epic poetry, an intellect of extraordinary vision he imagined many things that would later be proved. He was the master of the thought experiment, staging complex pr ...
W10519
05.05.2014
State of Martial Law - Maximillian George
WWW
Since 9/11, we've been living under a kind of worldwide martial law. Liberties that we take for granted are being brought into question. By shutting off arbitrary streets in Stockholm, I intend to limit people in a small but alarming ways, as a reminde ...
Since 9/11, we've been living under a kind of worldwide martial law. Liberties that we take for granted are being brought into question. By shutting off arbitrary streets in Stockholm, I intend to limit people in a small but alarming ways, as a reminde ...
W4064
23.05.2011
BACK TO BASICS - Marianne Nassuno
WWW
The Art project being presented is meant to react against the former commented ‘technologysation’ of art trend. It wants to speak and reach the Man of the street. Art Project BACK TO BASICS Bring Art back to where once it belonged Duchamp’s ...
The Art project being presented is meant to react against the former commented ‘technologysation’ of art trend. It wants to speak and reach the Man of the street. Art Project BACK TO BASICS Bring Art back to where once it belonged Duchamp’s ...
W5134
19.09.2012
Full Tr, Full Rf : The body posthuman, vol.1  - Mustafa Kemal Yurttas
WWW
The project proposal “Full Tr, Full Rf : The body posthuman, vol.1” highlightens the key concepts of identity, desire, simulation, cyborg through the materiality and immateriality of transformation, transition, transparency, transposition, trace a ...
The project proposal “Full Tr, Full Rf : The body posthuman, vol.1” highlightens the key concepts of identity, desire, simulation, cyborg through the materiality and immateriality of transformation, transition, transparency, transposition, trace a ...
W5081
06.09.2012
Der Todeszug - The LGB Group
WWW
Der Todeszug is a project that envisioned using an entire train as a canvas. Not as a bombed out suburban train, but a civic connection between the seperated Belgrade and Sarajevo, whose train connection was severed for over 18 years due to war and nation ...
Der Todeszug is a project that envisioned using an entire train as a canvas. Not as a bombed out suburban train, but a civic connection between the seperated Belgrade and Sarajevo, whose train connection was severed for over 18 years due to war and nation ...
W5343
18.10.2012
Unrealized project proposal for AUP  - Lito Kattou & Leontios Toumpouris
WWW
Unrealized project proposal for AUP Willing to continue investigating our relationship with natural components of the environment and expanding the development of the project in progress “Untitled dualism”, it would be a matter of great interest f ...
Unrealized project proposal for AUP Willing to continue investigating our relationship with natural components of the environment and expanding the development of the project in progress “Untitled dualism”, it would be a matter of great interest f ...
W4343
24.05.2011
Revolutionary Travel!  - Alicia Herrero
WWW
Revolutionary Travel! Sailing-Novel Each chapter is a port on the continue line of South American rivers from Port Brais of the Beni river to the Ucayali river. From the Amazonas through Iquitos, arriving to Leticia, Manaus and other, crossing to th ...
Revolutionary Travel! Sailing-Novel Each chapter is a port on the continue line of South American rivers from Port Brais of the Beni river to the Ucayali river. From the Amazonas through Iquitos, arriving to Leticia, Manaus and other, crossing to th ...
W5187
30.09.2012
Untitled (‘Hold my Emotions’)  - Betty Nigianni
WWW
Untitled (‘Hold my Emotions’) - - Cast objects, plaster moulds, and coloured wax, 10x8 cm approx. (2011) The objects were developed around the Romantic idea that physical forms can gain the significance of projected emotions. Objects, which were f ...
Untitled (‘Hold my Emotions’) - - Cast objects, plaster moulds, and coloured wax, 10x8 cm approx. (2011) The objects were developed around the Romantic idea that physical forms can gain the significance of projected emotions. Objects, which were f ...