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.

PROJEKT - Ulrich Rückreim

Time Magazine Cover - Robert Rauschenberg

Fax Transmission - Raymond Pettibone and Jason Rhoades

Messages to the Public - Nancy Spero

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

Double Exposure 1995-6  - Dan Graham

119. PROJET DE DESTRUCTION DU MUSEE 1970 - 1971 - Jef Geys

Uncompleted 1966 - and on  - John Armleder

Memorial - Ilya Kabakov

The Rosetta Garden - Gary Simmons

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4622
25.05.2011
THE STAR OF MIAMI - Roberto Behar & Rosario Marquardt / R & R Studios
WWW
THE STAR OF MIAMI WATERMARK & PUBLIC PARK The origin of The Star of Miami is in the sky, the idea of hope and the world of tomorrow. Like a cardinal star that unites North, South, East and West, the northern star that guides sailors to new lands and a ...
THE STAR OF MIAMI WATERMARK & PUBLIC PARK The origin of The Star of Miami is in the sky, the idea of hope and the world of tomorrow. Like a cardinal star that unites North, South, East and West, the northern star that guides sailors to new lands and a ...
W10172
18.06.2014
Chicago Torture Justice Memorials' Project - Anja Christine Ross
WWW
The title of "Chicago Torture Justice Memorials' Project" is concerned with my suggestion building up a kind of wall with holes. In these holes you might add photographs of this prison-archives. In my mind I found another idea that this wall has a signatu ...
The title of "Chicago Torture Justice Memorials' Project" is concerned with my suggestion building up a kind of wall with holes. In these holes you might add photographs of this prison-archives. In my mind I found another idea that this wall has a signatu ...
W5350
18.10.2012
Mariano Del Rosario
WWW
An art installation with mirrored tunnels connecting three derelict industrial buildings as transitory laboratory space for art experimentation. A permit to contain, wrap, and occupy three toxic and derelict industrial buildings in Brooklyn, New York, ...
An art installation with mirrored tunnels connecting three derelict industrial buildings as transitory laboratory space for art experimentation. A permit to contain, wrap, and occupy three toxic and derelict industrial buildings in Brooklyn, New York, ...
W4448
25.05.2011
Minaret Project - Joanna Rajkowska
WWW
Minaret Project ‘What is absolutely crucial for me is the relationship between the work, a real work in real space, and the body. One can hardly discuss a project’s impact on the public sphere if the project is not physically there, if everyone onl ...
Minaret Project ‘What is absolutely crucial for me is the relationship between the work, a real work in real space, and the body. One can hardly discuss a project’s impact on the public sphere if the project is not physically there, if everyone onl ...
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. ...
W4431
25.05.2011
NAKED SLAVE FOR SALE FOR 1-YEAR TERM  - Johnny Naked
WWW
NAKED SLAVE FOR SALE FOR 1-YEAR TERM www.nakedslave4art.com The artist Johnny Naked is offering his services as a naked slave for the price of $1,999,999.99 (U.S.) for a duration period of 1 year. Terms of the Deal: The buyer will pay the full price ...
NAKED SLAVE FOR SALE FOR 1-YEAR TERM www.nakedslave4art.com The artist Johnny Naked is offering his services as a naked slave for the price of $1,999,999.99 (U.S.) for a duration period of 1 year. Terms of the Deal: The buyer will pay the full price ...
W3545
12.05.2011
GOLDEN - Deanne Butterworth
WWW
GOLDEN My investigations in dance stem from how an audience views a dancing body through their construction of narrative. GOLDEN will setup parameters for a narrative to exist in, but will not necessarily decide what the narrative shall be. It is not ...
GOLDEN My investigations in dance stem from how an audience views a dancing body through their construction of narrative. GOLDEN will setup parameters for a narrative to exist in, but will not necessarily decide what the narrative shall be. It is not ...
U9978
01.01.1972
Social Resource Project For the Munich Olympics - Stephen Willats
Unbuilt Roads
The social resource project for the Munich Olympics is specifically directed at members of athletic clubs and the audience of athletic fixtures. The project aims to get participants to articulate the rules and perceptual structure of the athletic social e ...
The social resource project for the Munich Olympics is specifically directed at members of athletic clubs and the audience of athletic fixtures. The project aims to get participants to articulate the rules and perceptual structure of the athletic social e ...
W10263
18.06.2014
Blue Spiral - Miklos Legrady
WWW
An urban transformation painting the smokestacks of downtown Toronto. ...
An urban transformation painting the smokestacks of downtown Toronto. ...
W4794
14.06.2011
The Biggest Painting - Joost van Oss
WWW
The biggest painting. ...
W4963
21.08.2012
At Knifepoint - Art Van Triest
WWW
At knifepoint is an interactive installation that moves with the body of the spectator. the knives all stay at 10 cm from the body http://youtu.be/7ELCRr9fBGw ...
At knifepoint is an interactive installation that moves with the body of the spectator. the knives all stay at 10 cm from the body http://youtu.be/7ELCRr9fBGw ...
W4857
08.08.2012
A Comedy Routine - Dan Riley
WWW
Comedy Routine A, is a comedy routine that was written but never performed, due to shyness and perhaps bad material... COMEDY ROUTINE A So, its been gettin’ real cold lately, jeez. [Optional: Have you guys been feeling this?] We went out and ...
Comedy Routine A, is a comedy routine that was written but never performed, due to shyness and perhaps bad material... COMEDY ROUTINE A So, its been gettin’ real cold lately, jeez. [Optional: Have you guys been feeling this?] We went out and ...
W4030
22.05.2011
The Grand Tour - Holly Crawford
WWW
Preliminary Proposal The Grand Tour In the current global art market only the very wealthy and select and limited number of curators may participate fully. At the fairs there are VIP lounges were you may get a message, have a snack and a glass of ...
Preliminary Proposal The Grand Tour In the current global art market only the very wealthy and select and limited number of curators may participate fully. At the fairs there are VIP lounges were you may get a message, have a snack and a glass of ...
W4584
25.05.2011
Antroepiphytic - Laboratorio 060 & Héctor Zamora
WWW
Héctor Zamora’s (www.lsd.com.mx) project "Antroepiphytic" consists of the building of a walkable tower around an immense tree called “Ceiba de Oro” (a ceiba being a tree typical of tropical regions and a sacred plant to the Mayas), a natural monume ...
Héctor Zamora’s (www.lsd.com.mx) project "Antroepiphytic" consists of the building of a walkable tower around an immense tree called “Ceiba de Oro” (a ceiba being a tree typical of tropical regions and a sacred plant to the Mayas), a natural monume ...
W4600
25.05.2011
INVESTIGATION2 - SASCHA MIKLOWEIT
WWW
SASCHA MIKLOWEIT Unrealized project for a public transport or railway station Title: INVESTIGATION2 INTRODUCTION INVESTIGATION2 is the continuation of my field research project which started 2010 with INVESTIGATION1 (for detailed material regarding ...
SASCHA MIKLOWEIT Unrealized project for a public transport or railway station Title: INVESTIGATION2 INTRODUCTION INVESTIGATION2 is the continuation of my field research project which started 2010 with INVESTIGATION1 (for detailed material regarding ...
W4469
25.05.2011
Straight-Line Residency Project (SLRP):  - Margaret Roberts
WWW
Straight-Line Residency Project (SLRP): Executive summary A. The SLRP aims to • support interdimensional travel from virtual to physical space, • encourage the re-valuation of physical space by showing it as a desirable destination for interdimens ...
Straight-Line Residency Project (SLRP): Executive summary A. The SLRP aims to • support interdimensional travel from virtual to physical space, • encourage the re-valuation of physical space by showing it as a desirable destination for interdimens ...
U9869
01.01.1997
"Free Space" - Michelangelo Pistoletto
Unbuilt Roads
Large cage of iron rods without any entrance. A tag is fastened, outside, in the middle of each of the four sides, saying "The Free Space". "Free Space" From the book "100 exhibitions in the month of October" 1976; Recipe n. 90 Pistoletto ...
Large cage of iron rods without any entrance. A tag is fastened, outside, in the middle of each of the four sides, saying "The Free Space". "Free Space" From the book "100 exhibitions in the month of October" 1976; Recipe n. 90 Pistoletto ...
W3511
11.05.2011
Brand New Door - Brian Hubble
WWW
In exchange for a discount on my bill, I built a door for the makeshift storage unit adjacent to my mechanic’s garage. I wanted the door to be functional but look as if it had been there for years, fitting in the weathered environment. I collected mater ...
In exchange for a discount on my bill, I built a door for the makeshift storage unit adjacent to my mechanic’s garage. I wanted the door to be functional but look as if it had been there for years, fitting in the weathered environment. I collected mater ...
W4884
10.08.2012
Magazine: 2012 - Caroline Jaine
WWW
Magazine: 2012 is the first exhibition not to be held at the newly acquired Serpentine Sackler Gallery. The show features works by British artists Janice Wilkins and Caroline Jaine and includes: Anonymising the Magazine, Free Libyan Youth, Chromakey, Ico ...
Magazine: 2012 is the first exhibition not to be held at the newly acquired Serpentine Sackler Gallery. The show features works by British artists Janice Wilkins and Caroline Jaine and includes: Anonymising the Magazine, Free Libyan Youth, Chromakey, Ico ...
W4821
07.08.2012
Column - Hannes Bend
WWW
Column, 2010 Candy cast sculpture of a Greek column, multi-colored, white or translucent Proposal for Sculpture Center New York Open Call in June 2010 Column Project Proposal for Sculpture Center New York 2010 by Hannes Bend Candy Column, 2010 is ...
Column, 2010 Candy cast sculpture of a Greek column, multi-colored, white or translucent Proposal for Sculpture Center New York Open Call in June 2010 Column Project Proposal for Sculpture Center New York 2010 by Hannes Bend Candy Column, 2010 is ...
W5048
03.09.2012
Unrealized Poster - Robert Linsley
WWW
Unrealized project for a poster, circa 2002. FORWARD UNDER THE BANNER OF THE EXECUTIVE DAEMON! ALL POWER TO THE OTHER DAEMONS! EAST VAN RULES! ...
Unrealized project for a poster, circa 2002. FORWARD UNDER THE BANNER OF THE EXECUTIVE DAEMON! ALL POWER TO THE OTHER DAEMONS! EAST VAN RULES! ...
W5112
16.09.2012
The Cactus Room - Javier Tapia
WWW
THE CAUCUS ROOM Project proposal for OVERGADEN By Javier Tapia The authentic moment of discovery, the breakthrough, occurs when a properly universal dimension explodes from within a particular context and becomes “for itself”, and is directly ex ...
THE CAUCUS ROOM Project proposal for OVERGADEN By Javier Tapia The authentic moment of discovery, the breakthrough, occurs when a properly universal dimension explodes from within a particular context and becomes “for itself”, and is directly ex ...
W5026
31.08.2012
Blow Job - Peter Friedl
WWW
Blow Job Peter Friedl Proposal, Hamburger Kunsthalle, 2004 Blow Job (working title) is an exhibition project dealing with theatricality and its media possibilities. In the form of a monographically structured project, I treat various themes with wh ...
Blow Job Peter Friedl Proposal, Hamburger Kunsthalle, 2004 Blow Job (working title) is an exhibition project dealing with theatricality and its media possibilities. In the form of a monographically structured project, I treat various themes with wh ...
W5028
31.08.2012
100 Minutes from the Lives of Shadows - János Xantus
WWW
'100 Minutes from the Lives of Shadows' A film of characters who are ignorent of being characters of a film. Except one of them... This "l'art pour l'art screenplay" was written by my friend Jean-Daniel Magnin and myself some twenty years ago. 1 ...
'100 Minutes from the Lives of Shadows' A film of characters who are ignorent of being characters of a film. Except one of them... This "l'art pour l'art screenplay" was written by my friend Jean-Daniel Magnin and myself some twenty years ago. 1 ...
W4393
25.05.2011
Ground Control - Sylvia Schwenk
WWW
SYLVIA SCHWENK PROJECT CONCEPT STATEMENT Ground Control is a work of participatory performance art that will be presented in two stages. The first stage will be a live performance that will take place at night-time by everyday-people-cum-performers ...
SYLVIA SCHWENK PROJECT CONCEPT STATEMENT Ground Control is a work of participatory performance art that will be presented in two stages. The first stage will be a live performance that will take place at night-time by everyday-people-cum-performers ...
W4285
24.05.2011
Overlords - Tom Estes
WWW
Overlords by Tom Estes Description Overlords was originally conceived as a video installation comprised of images of ‘Time Travel’ projected on to a book called ‘Local History and Antiquities’. The work was deliberately left incomplete. The ph ...
Overlords by Tom Estes Description Overlords was originally conceived as a video installation comprised of images of ‘Time Travel’ projected on to a book called ‘Local History and Antiquities’. The work was deliberately left incomplete. The ph ...