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.

KEEPING IN TOUCH - Allan Kaprow

Eislandschaft - P. Fischli und D. Weiss

Monument with Rust - Gustav Metzger

Niemandsland - Hans Haacke

Unrealized project for Tate Gallery + ICA, 1969 - Gilbert and George

"400" - Manfred Pernice

Passage - Richard Wentworth

Unrealized Turtles 1967 - Joseph Grigely

Time Magazine Cover - Robert Rauschenberg

To Two Too; Hypothetical Monument for a Natural Disaster - Jeffrey Wisniewski

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
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 ...
U9701
01.01.1994
Festival du film de famille - Pierre Huyghe
Unbuilt Roads
Le Festival du film de famille est un événement qui séted sur 3 jours, c'est le pant de dipart d'une dénie partagée qui peut se répéter sur plusieurs [arnisé?]. Une communanté affactive [illisible] son [basan?] d'histories par sa propre producti ...
Le Festival du film de famille est un événement qui séted sur 3 jours, c'est le pant de dipart d'une dénie partagée qui peut se répéter sur plusieurs [arnisé?]. Une communanté affactive [illisible] son [basan?] d'histories par sa propre producti ...
W5014
30.08.2012
Spiral Cloud above Spiral Jetty. - Soren Dahlgaard
WWW
Title: Spiral Cloud above Spiral Jetty. Please find text and images attached in the same jpg document. Thank you, Soren Dahlgaard, Copenhagen. ...
Title: Spiral Cloud above Spiral Jetty. Please find text and images attached in the same jpg document. Thank you, Soren Dahlgaard, Copenhagen. ...
W3593
13.05.2011
VINE PEOPLE ARE NOT TERRORISTS - Dyan Marie
WWW
News reports claim my actions are that of an environmental terrorist organization: that we have unleashed a harmful toxin in the halls of power throughout the North America. ...
News reports claim my actions are that of an environmental terrorist organization: that we have unleashed a harmful toxin in the halls of power throughout the North America. ...
W4059
23.05.2011
The king of the changing face - Transvestites in China - Andreas Guibert
WWW
This photo installation is concern with the materialization of Chinese trans-sexuality during the early twenty first century; a trans-sexuality that acts upon a semiotic deconstruction of the body as a signifier, thus becoming the agent of processes of ge ...
This photo installation is concern with the materialization of Chinese trans-sexuality during the early twenty first century; a trans-sexuality that acts upon a semiotic deconstruction of the body as a signifier, thus becoming the agent of processes of ge ...
W3874
19.05.2011
BIGSKY: nternational Airport Art Commission CANADA - Derek Michael Besant
WWW
Project: BIGSKY Client: Calgary International Airport / Canada Date: 2003 Gridded glass wall treatment of International Arrivals Wing Suspended edge-lit glass panels with sandblasted cloud information in three layers; where they majority of th ...
Project: BIGSKY Client: Calgary International Airport / Canada Date: 2003 Gridded glass wall treatment of International Arrivals Wing Suspended edge-lit glass panels with sandblasted cloud information in three layers; where they majority of th ...
W4829
07.08.2012
Le Grand Mort - Edgar Orlaineta
WWW
Edgar Orlianeta México City 1972 LE GRAND MORT (La Gran Muerte). 2002. Digital photo-montage for project to be located in the desert near Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua (México) and El Paso, Texas (US). The project was meant to be made with a steel pol ...
Edgar Orlianeta México City 1972 LE GRAND MORT (La Gran Muerte). 2002. Digital photo-montage for project to be located in the desert near Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua (México) and El Paso, Texas (US). The project was meant to be made with a steel pol ...
W4892
10.08.2012
Ben Sloat
WWW
A golden inflatable, each uniquely patterned, is produced in a glass case upon the viewer's initiative (stepping on a red button). The artwork very slowly inflates (3-5 minutes), then is suddenly released! It rises and flies out an above window. ...
A golden inflatable, each uniquely patterned, is produced in a glass case upon the viewer's initiative (stepping on a red button). The artwork very slowly inflates (3-5 minutes), then is suddenly released! It rises and flies out an above window. ...
U9298
01.01.1991
Visual Poem: Cap I Cua - Joan Brossa
Unbuilt Roads
When the project to built the AVE train (Madrid-Scville-Madrid) was getting started, a design team was put together to design the mobile units of this high-speed train. Visual Poet, Joan Brossa, was asked to collaborate in the final touches of this de ...
When the project to built the AVE train (Madrid-Scville-Madrid) was getting started, a design team was put together to design the mobile units of this high-speed train. Visual Poet, Joan Brossa, was asked to collaborate in the final touches of this de ...
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 ...
W3615
13.05.2011
In the Realm of Self - Shaun David Myles
WWW
Sculptural installation: This installation is an offshoot from a project developed over a number of years using the symbol of the heart, explored through multiple materials, for an investigation of the human condition. The two sculptures here, each ...
Sculptural installation: This installation is an offshoot from a project developed over a number of years using the symbol of the heart, explored through multiple materials, for an investigation of the human condition. The two sculptures here, each ...
W5089
10.09.2012
Tal Ram On
WWW
Tal Ram On Resume Tal Ran On was born and raised in Kibutz Zikim, following graduation from one of Israeli finest army units, he went and studied film making. Between the years 1995 to 2005, Tal was filming and directing documentaries movies. At 2005, ...
Tal Ram On Resume Tal Ran On was born and raised in Kibutz Zikim, following graduation from one of Israeli finest army units, he went and studied film making. Between the years 1995 to 2005, Tal was filming and directing documentaries movies. At 2005, ...
W4300
24.05.2011
Laundry Line - zavick botha
WWW
Washing clothes and laundry lines are common day to day images of human activity throughout most of the world. Although in Western society something so ordinary now takes place behind closed doors. Some people use clothes to express their identity, in oth ...
Washing clothes and laundry lines are common day to day images of human activity throughout most of the world. Although in Western society something so ordinary now takes place behind closed doors. Some people use clothes to express their identity, in oth ...
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 ...
W5237
09.10.2012
Theater of the Heavy Clouds - Kim Miller
WWW
Theater of the Heavy Clouds ARISTOPHANES stands in makeshift toga next to table covered with multi-colored cubes. Off to side is a garment rack with glittering evening gown hanging. CHORUS' lines appear on projection screen at appropriate time behind ARIS ...
Theater of the Heavy Clouds ARISTOPHANES stands in makeshift toga next to table covered with multi-colored cubes. Off to side is a garment rack with glittering evening gown hanging. CHORUS' lines appear on projection screen at appropriate time behind ARIS ...
W11076
07.04.2016
Temple of Modern Virtue - Vilja Achté
WWW
My work revolves around the relevance of the intentionally incomplete state as a method of production in art and design practice. The term itself is an adaptation of the Renaissance term ‘non-finito’, which quite literally means ‘not finished’, an ...
My work revolves around the relevance of the intentionally incomplete state as a method of production in art and design practice. The term itself is an adaptation of the Renaissance term ‘non-finito’, which quite literally means ‘not finished’, an ...
U9238
01.01.1994
PROJECT FOR A COMMUNITY CENTER, AVENUE DES NARCISSES, CHENOVE - Vito Acconci
Unbuilt Roads
Vito Acconci & Studio (Luis Vera, Jenny Schrider, Charles Doherty; with James Harrison, Jennifer Zackin, Jean Hahn) COMMUNITY CENTER, AVENUE DES NARCISSES, CHENOVE, FRANCE 1994 (To be built, 1998) Grass, trees, concrete, asphalt, steel, glass, lights, ...
Vito Acconci & Studio (Luis Vera, Jenny Schrider, Charles Doherty; with James Harrison, Jennifer Zackin, Jean Hahn) COMMUNITY CENTER, AVENUE DES NARCISSES, CHENOVE, FRANCE 1994 (To be built, 1998) Grass, trees, concrete, asphalt, steel, glass, lights, ...
W4866
09.08.2012
The Rat Gallery - Aasa Ersmark
WWW
Rat Gallery I would like to propose an art show specially designed for wild city rats. The Rat Gallery is installed under the floor of an appropriate space in a big city . For the opening party of the show , the rats get to enjoy con temporary art and th ...
Rat Gallery I would like to propose an art show specially designed for wild city rats. The Rat Gallery is installed under the floor of an appropriate space in a big city . For the opening party of the show , the rats get to enjoy con temporary art and th ...
W3566
12.05.2011
Lisa Gorton
WWW
Two images taken in a pristine gallery space. Meant to act as a catalyst for an investigation into space, place and the role of the body within this. Tried to do a performance but became much more about being ‘alive’ rather than ‘live’. ...
Two images taken in a pristine gallery space. Meant to act as a catalyst for an investigation into space, place and the role of the body within this. Tried to do a performance but became much more about being ‘alive’ rather than ‘live’. ...
W5005
30.08.2012
Hanover House - Peter Friedl
WWW
Peter Friedl, Hanover House, 2003 Proposal for Hanover 5 inkjet prints, 100 x 133 cm each Hanover House (2003) Treehouses are common images and objects of desire for individualism, dropping out, childhood, being in tune with nature, self-determin ...
Peter Friedl, Hanover House, 2003 Proposal for Hanover 5 inkjet prints, 100 x 133 cm each Hanover House (2003) Treehouses are common images and objects of desire for individualism, dropping out, childhood, being in tune with nature, self-determin ...
W3918
20.05.2011
The Second Man - Carolyn McKay
WWW
Original Proposal: At Darlinghurst courthouse in 2008, Gordon Wood was found guilty of murdering Caroline Byrne by throwing her from The Gap, a notorious suicide spot in Sydney, Australia. Witnesses claim to have seen a second man at the crime scene but ...
Original Proposal: At Darlinghurst courthouse in 2008, Gordon Wood was found guilty of murdering Caroline Byrne by throwing her from The Gap, a notorious suicide spot in Sydney, Australia. Witnesses claim to have seen a second man at the crime scene but ...
W5296
17.10.2012
Swimming Pool - Ferhat Özgür
WWW
‘SWIMMING POOL’ AN UNREALISED PROJECT BY FERHAT OZGUR PARIS 2012 The unrealised project entitled ‘Swimming Pool’ has been designed as a project which aims to blur the border between art and life. Here the aim of the project is to add new ...
‘SWIMMING POOL’ AN UNREALISED PROJECT BY FERHAT OZGUR PARIS 2012 The unrealised project entitled ‘Swimming Pool’ has been designed as a project which aims to blur the border between art and life. Here the aim of the project is to add new ...
W4747
26.05.2011
A Night Class in Utopia - Ross Birrell
WWW
Please find attached Letters relating to the unrealised project by Ross Birrell, A Night Class In Utopia All relevant information is contained in the letters. A Night Class in Utopia An unrealised project proposed to the Scottish Parliament 2000 C ...
Please find attached Letters relating to the unrealised project by Ross Birrell, A Night Class In Utopia All relevant information is contained in the letters. A Night Class in Utopia An unrealised project proposed to the Scottish Parliament 2000 C ...
W5342
18.10.2012
JEANNE TRIPIER JEANNE D'ARC - Paul Amlehn
WWW
Hi. My name is Paul Amlehn. My previous work has been exhibited at Art Basel and the Venice Biennale, and is held in the collections of MoMA, ZKM, and documenta archives. The work I am submitting is an outline for a performance work that was never realize ...
Hi. My name is Paul Amlehn. My previous work has been exhibited at Art Basel and the Venice Biennale, and is held in the collections of MoMA, ZKM, and documenta archives. The work I am submitting is an outline for a performance work that was never realize ...
U9503
01.01.1997
NON REALIZED PROJECTS - Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Unbuilt Roads
1964-66 Two Lower Manhattan Wrapped Buildings, Project for New York, U.S.A. 1967 Wrapped Galleria Nazionale, Project for Rome, Italy. Ponte Sant' Angelo Wrapped, Project for Rome, Italy. Wrapped Trees, Project for Washington Pa ...
1964-66 Two Lower Manhattan Wrapped Buildings, Project for New York, U.S.A. 1967 Wrapped Galleria Nazionale, Project for Rome, Italy. Ponte Sant' Angelo Wrapped, Project for Rome, Italy. Wrapped Trees, Project for Washington Pa ...
W5283
15.10.2012
FORTIFICATION PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR GERMAN PAVILION - Hakan Topal
WWW
A FORTIFICATION PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR GERMAN PAVILION, VENICE by Hakan Topal, 2009 In the beginning of February of 2009, I proposed a project to Liam Gillick to be realized at the periphery of the German Pavilion in Venice's Giardini. I had no intention to ...
A FORTIFICATION PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR GERMAN PAVILION, VENICE by Hakan Topal, 2009 In the beginning of February of 2009, I proposed a project to Liam Gillick to be realized at the periphery of the German Pavilion in Venice's Giardini. I had no intention to ...