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.

den anonymen Tod ausstellen - Gregor Schneider

Why New Worlds Conceived by Artists Do Not Get Built - Peter Fend

NON REALIZED PROJECTS - Christo and Jeanne-Claude

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

A House of Dust - Alison Knowles

Unrealized Turtles 1967 - Joseph Grigely

Festival du film de famille - Pierre Huyghe

Aguapracasa - Gabriel Orozco

Eight Days a Week - Joe Scanlan

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

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W5380
19.10.2012
Caution! Work in Progress - Geraldo Zamproni
WWW
Caution! Work in Progress Rack or plastic folding board with vibrant yellow tone is a warning message that awakens the immediate interest of the observer in conferring closely with looking at what is happening. ...
Caution! Work in Progress Rack or plastic folding board with vibrant yellow tone is a warning message that awakens the immediate interest of the observer in conferring closely with looking at what is happening. ...
U9617
01.07.1991
Project pour le parc de sculpture de Vassiviére - Paul-Armand Gette
Unbuilt Roads
Un bloc de granite choisi dans la partie boisée de l'île sera considéré comme étant le centre d'une circonférence de 25m. de rayon, qui, sans que cela soit indiqué sur place d'aucune façon, restera vierge de toutes interventions (aménagements, co ...
Un bloc de granite choisi dans la partie boisée de l'île sera considéré comme étant le centre d'une circonférence de 25m. de rayon, qui, sans que cela soit indiqué sur place d'aucune façon, restera vierge de toutes interventions (aménagements, co ...
W3786
18.05.2011
Broadside & Plan For A New American Home: Volumes 5 & 6 in 6 Volume Artist Book Project - Jordan West
WWW
To The Agency Of Unrealized Projects May 18, 2011 Dear Curator, I have submitted two projects for your consideration. These are both Artists' Books that I have not been realized at the present time. They are two in a series of six artists' books ...
To The Agency Of Unrealized Projects May 18, 2011 Dear Curator, I have submitted two projects for your consideration. These are both Artists' Books that I have not been realized at the present time. They are two in a series of six artists' books ...
W3683
16.05.2011
Mumfordshire - A Megalopolis - Bruce Asbestos
WWW
Mumfordshire is unrealised plan for a megalopolis (a series of interconnected urban areas), which seeks to re-imagine a complex but positive future of mega-cities and society. Mumfordshire is partly based on revising Lewis Mumford’s idea that the Roman ...
Mumfordshire is unrealised plan for a megalopolis (a series of interconnected urban areas), which seeks to re-imagine a complex but positive future of mega-cities and society. Mumfordshire is partly based on revising Lewis Mumford’s idea that the Roman ...
W3813
19.05.2011
Bruce Gray
WWW
This is a wood sphere that I drilled into and mounted lots of high powered rare earth magnets. They are all facing the magnetic polarity in the same direction. There was also a large half sphere that I attached magnets with the polarity opposing the sph ...
This is a wood sphere that I drilled into and mounted lots of high powered rare earth magnets. They are all facing the magnetic polarity in the same direction. There was also a large half sphere that I attached magnets with the polarity opposing the sph ...
W3505
11.05.2011
Wishing Way - Ian Amell
WWW
Huge wishbones, preferably made of translucent fibreglas with interior lighting or alternately of concrete. They would be large enough for people to walk under them easily. They would be constructed in multiples to create a passageway. Typically North ...
Huge wishbones, preferably made of translucent fibreglas with interior lighting or alternately of concrete. They would be large enough for people to walk under them easily. They would be constructed in multiples to create a passageway. Typically North ...
W3729
18.05.2011
“Minaret” - Felippe Moraes
WWW
The installation “Minaret” is constituted by a single scaffold 7m high with 2 pairs of stereo speakers in its top emitting simultaneously an African drum counting the prime numbers starting 2, 3, 5, 7, 11… going up to … 89, 97, 101 ...
The installation “Minaret” is constituted by a single scaffold 7m high with 2 pairs of stereo speakers in its top emitting simultaneously an African drum counting the prime numbers starting 2, 3, 5, 7, 11… going up to … 89, 97, 101 ...
W4939
19.08.2012
Horizontal Fall - Julia Davis
WWW
JULIA DAVIS 2012 Unrealized Project: HORIZONTAL FALL 13 minute HD Video, Four channel surround sound A ten-minute video shot in the restricted access area of the Wieliczka Salt mine in Poland 2009 is projected in a 3.5m diameter area on the floor o ...
JULIA DAVIS 2012 Unrealized Project: HORIZONTAL FALL 13 minute HD Video, Four channel surround sound A ten-minute video shot in the restricted access area of the Wieliczka Salt mine in Poland 2009 is projected in a 3.5m diameter area on the floor o ...
W4150
23.05.2011
Painting as a Pastime 2001  - Cornford & Cross
WWW
Painting as a Pastime 2001 Brett Prestidge Compton Verney, Oxfordshire, England (2000) Courtesy of Stanton Williams Architects We were invited to submit a proposal for Compton Verney, Oxfordshire, England. Our proposal was to offer a single first priz ...
Painting as a Pastime 2001 Brett Prestidge Compton Verney, Oxfordshire, England (2000) Courtesy of Stanton Williams Architects We were invited to submit a proposal for Compton Verney, Oxfordshire, England. Our proposal was to offer a single first priz ...
W4145
23.05.2011
This England - Cornford & Cross
WWW
For the Times/Artangel commissions, we proposed to build a 50-metre section of concrete ‘flyover’ in Green Park, London. Emerging from the trees would have been an imposing and apparently purposeful structure, a sweeping arc supported on tall piers. Y ...
For the Times/Artangel commissions, we proposed to build a 50-metre section of concrete ‘flyover’ in Green Park, London. Emerging from the trees would have been an imposing and apparently purposeful structure, a sweeping arc supported on tall piers. Y ...
W4481
25.05.2011
Social Media Surrogate  - Jesse Fulton
WWW
Fulton 1 Social Media Surrogate Summary Social Media Surrogate is a conceptual online performance. The piece in its simplest form consists of the following four actions: 1. Write a script to gather data from a social network which accurately character ...
Fulton 1 Social Media Surrogate Summary Social Media Surrogate is a conceptual online performance. The piece in its simplest form consists of the following four actions: 1. Write a script to gather data from a social network which accurately character ...
W3818
19.05.2011
Kelly Jazvac and Patrick Howlett
WWW
An abstract public sculpture that doubles as a large scale bike rack. Our proposal is for a large-scale, powder-coated steel sculpture to be installed in the outdoor sculpture garden at the SculptureCenter. The project will appear to be a prototypical ...
An abstract public sculpture that doubles as a large scale bike rack. Our proposal is for a large-scale, powder-coated steel sculpture to be installed in the outdoor sculpture garden at the SculptureCenter. The project will appear to be a prototypical ...
U9936
23.01.1997
Messages to the Public - Nancy Spero
Unbuilt Roads
Dear Hans-Ulrich, Thank you for inviting me to participate in "Unbuilt Worlds - unrealized artist-projects". Sounds terrific. In 1986 I was invited to participate in a program called "Messages to the Public". The invited artists would be given a 30- ...
Dear Hans-Ulrich, Thank you for inviting me to participate in "Unbuilt Worlds - unrealized artist-projects". Sounds terrific. In 1986 I was invited to participate in a program called "Messages to the Public". The invited artists would be given a 30- ...
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" ...
W3607
13.05.2011
If you meet Buddha on the path, kill him, 2004-2011 - Shannon Bellum
WWW
Technical aspects ​This is an installation made out of suspended fabric panels going from the floor, to 7 feet high at the entrance and finishing off at 9 feet high at the center of the maze. The panels are attached to plastic tubing that is suspe ...
Technical aspects ​This is an installation made out of suspended fabric panels going from the floor, to 7 feet high at the entrance and finishing off at 9 feet high at the center of the maze. The panels are attached to plastic tubing that is suspe ...
U9517
01.01.1990
<A Public Misery Message> - Critical Art Ensemble
Unbuilt Roads
A Public Misery Message, was designed as temporary public art for a US city. The Reagan/Bush era was coming to a close, and the financial restructuring of the classes was complete: The top wealth holders in America controlled more wealth than at any previ ...
A Public Misery Message, was designed as temporary public art for a US city. The Reagan/Bush era was coming to a close, and the financial restructuring of the classes was complete: The top wealth holders in America controlled more wealth than at any previ ...
U9948
30.01.1997
My House - Uri Tzaig
Unbuilt Roads
Like initiation, one has to build his own house, as shown to him in his own dreams. Useing the colors he likes, the shapes he fells, the distances his own body needs, giving names to things, functions, in his language. This house, that was built in my min ...
Like initiation, one has to build his own house, as shown to him in his own dreams. Useing the colors he likes, the shapes he fells, the distances his own body needs, giving names to things, functions, in his language. This house, that was built in my min ...
W4561
25.05.2011
FONTAINE DU BASSIN D'APOLLON- PALAIS DU VERSAILLES- PARIS. - Eduardo Villanueva
WWW
FONTAINE DU BASSIN D'APOLLON- PALAIS DU VERSAILLES- PARIS. An artwork by Eduardo Villanueva. This artwork or mischief consist in re-create a simulacrum of a terrorist act without causing serious consequences. The main act consist in throwing a bronze c ...
FONTAINE DU BASSIN D'APOLLON- PALAIS DU VERSAILLES- PARIS. An artwork by Eduardo Villanueva. This artwork or mischief consist in re-create a simulacrum of a terrorist act without causing serious consequences. The main act consist in throwing a bronze c ...
W4230
24.05.2011
Monument for bridges. - Dico Kruijsse
WWW
Monument for bridges. Visuals of a monumental sculpture to be made out of the remains of two countryside bridges. A road of about 20 kilometres long was rebuild. Therefore as much as 50 bridges accessing the farmlands where taken apart and demolished. ...
Monument for bridges. Visuals of a monumental sculpture to be made out of the remains of two countryside bridges. A road of about 20 kilometres long was rebuild. Therefore as much as 50 bridges accessing the farmlands where taken apart and demolished. ...
W4744
26.05.2011
Gema Alava
WWW
Glenn D. Lowry Director The Museum of Modern Art 11 West 53rd Street New York, NY 10019 January 20, 2009 Dear Glenn, The best way I can think of introducing myself after the brief conversation with you tonight is to say that, ...
Glenn D. Lowry Director The Museum of Modern Art 11 West 53rd Street New York, NY 10019 January 20, 2009 Dear Glenn, The best way I can think of introducing myself after the brief conversation with you tonight is to say that, ...
W4187
24.05.2011
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE - Katherine Liberovskaya
WWW
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE by Katherine Liberovskaya: video with Phill Niblock: sound collage 4 projection and quadrophonic sound installation (2006) Project description (short): "Four-Wheel Drive" is a sonic video installation piece consisting of 4 p ...
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE by Katherine Liberovskaya: video with Phill Niblock: sound collage 4 projection and quadrophonic sound installation (2006) Project description (short): "Four-Wheel Drive" is a sonic video installation piece consisting of 4 p ...
W3479
11.05.2011
Belfast Harbor Public Art Project - Joaquin Gasgonia Palencia
WWW
Joaquin Gasgonia Palencia November 27, 2009 Call for Qualifications Belfast Harbor Public Art Project 500 words The spirit of public art is civic - it arises from the community's socio-historical experiences, from its sense of oneness and solid ...
Joaquin Gasgonia Palencia November 27, 2009 Call for Qualifications Belfast Harbor Public Art Project 500 words The spirit of public art is civic - it arises from the community's socio-historical experiences, from its sense of oneness and solid ...
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 ...
W3635
14.05.2011
Hay, Text - Jomar Statkun
WWW
“With plastic covered hay bales”, the hay bales have text silk screened on them. There would be many bales - with various texts printed on them. In the past, some texts have touched on ideas of defection and the workings of “offices”, as well a ...
“With plastic covered hay bales”, the hay bales have text silk screened on them. There would be many bales - with various texts printed on them. In the past, some texts have touched on ideas of defection and the workings of “offices”, as well a ...
W3603
13.05.2011
francine LeClercq
WWW
in memoriam of a work not yet done ...
in memoriam of a work not yet done ...
W3601
13.05.2011
Argumentation of the National Bitter Melon Council on the Power and Efficacy of Bitter Melonism - Andi Sutton
WWW
A proposal to the 7th Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art, 2012 Proposal by: The National Bitter Melon Council Web Site: http://www.bittermelon.org Contact: Andi Sutton P: 857-928-4196 E: andi.sutton@gmail.com Out of love for flavor and the desir ...
A proposal to the 7th Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art, 2012 Proposal by: The National Bitter Melon Council Web Site: http://www.bittermelon.org Contact: Andi Sutton P: 857-928-4196 E: andi.sutton@gmail.com Out of love for flavor and the desir ...