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.

Project 1 + Project 2 - Simryn Gill

Unrealized Turtles 1967 - Joseph Grigely

PROPOSALl + VOORSTEL - Guillame Bijl

Proposal for a permanent video installation for the NYC headquarters of Sony Corporation - Dara Birnbaum

Project for the Initiative Mahnmal Homosexuellenverfolgung, Frankfurt  - Jeff Wall

MAK - Wien  - Rosemarie Trockel

Merci, Thank you, Danke: Les 2 sujets  - Thomas Hirschorn

AUSSICHTSTURM, HOLZHAUS (WOHNHAUS), SCHWIMMBECKEN, FREIE FAHRT - Maria Eichhorn

Jake and Dinos Chapman's five proposals for an empty plinth situated on central londons trafalgar square - Jake and Dinos Chapman

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

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W10404
19.04.2014
The 'Not at...' series: Installations that never were... - Claire Manning
WWW
This series of work is a set of installations proposed but not realised. It is an ongoing project aimed at freeing another piece -- 'In the shadow of her gaze n.02' -- from the constraints of its reliance with the wall. Each proposal is capable of bei ...
This series of work is a set of installations proposed but not realised. It is an ongoing project aimed at freeing another piece -- 'In the shadow of her gaze n.02' -- from the constraints of its reliance with the wall. Each proposal is capable of bei ...
W10709
05.09.2014
Terminator – Final proposal to the Jerwood Foundation 2008 - Jonathan Parsons
WWW
This proposal was made following the Foundation’s invitation to produce this work. Unfortunately the project was eventually halted due to a lack of funds. Introduction Making Terminator into a substantial, powerful artwork necessitates a development ...
This proposal was made following the Foundation’s invitation to produce this work. Unfortunately the project was eventually halted due to a lack of funds. Introduction Making Terminator into a substantial, powerful artwork necessitates a development ...
W4763
28.05.2011
Postpone - Postpone
WWW
Postpone is a creative agency, not yet created (but coming soon) gathering smart artistic workers operating in design, film and photography. The agency (T.M., O.Q., Y.B. and A. the secretary) are based in Oslo, London and Provence. Very near from some of ...
Postpone is a creative agency, not yet created (but coming soon) gathering smart artistic workers operating in design, film and photography. The agency (T.M., O.Q., Y.B. and A. the secretary) are based in Oslo, London and Provence. Very near from some of ...
W4854
08.08.2012
The Green,White and Red light district - Neda Tavallaee
WWW
This work concentrates on the fact that women in Iran are judged and valued by being wifes and mothers.Therefore there is a great ammount of pressure on them to find husbands.This leads to women being showcased for marriage. Proposal Title:The Gree ...
This work concentrates on the fact that women in Iran are judged and valued by being wifes and mothers.Therefore there is a great ammount of pressure on them to find husbands.This leads to women being showcased for marriage. Proposal Title:The Gree ...
W4521
25.05.2011
The 5-Minute Fellowship  - Gabriela Vainsencher
WWW
The 5-Minute Fellowship The 5-Minute Fellowship is a project in which artists will each receive $20 in exchange for a small work made in 5 minutes. I will arrive at the 5-Minute fellows’ studios with materials, a camera and $20, and leave with a small ...
The 5-Minute Fellowship The 5-Minute Fellowship is a project in which artists will each receive $20 in exchange for a small work made in 5 minutes. I will arrive at the 5-Minute fellows’ studios with materials, a camera and $20, and leave with a small ...
W4227
24.05.2011
"5.9-by-8.5-inch Exhibition" - Toru Hayashi
WWW
"5.9-by-8.5-inch Exhibition" Selecting one of sketchbooks from my drawing project Equivocal Landscape* Publishing the same format (5.9 x 8.5 in. and 72 images of 144 pages) book as the sketchbook of Equivocal Landscape (at least 72 copies) ...
"5.9-by-8.5-inch Exhibition" Selecting one of sketchbooks from my drawing project Equivocal Landscape* Publishing the same format (5.9 x 8.5 in. and 72 images of 144 pages) book as the sketchbook of Equivocal Landscape (at least 72 copies) ...
W4684
26.05.2011
forever pets  - Gregory Alan Thornbury
WWW
forever pets The other day I found myself delighted with how well behaved my friends dog was. Their dog, Molly, was not up on the couch sniffing my crotch or licking me in the face, but laid neatly curled asleep beside the hearth. After an hour of uni ...
forever pets The other day I found myself delighted with how well behaved my friends dog was. Their dog, Molly, was not up on the couch sniffing my crotch or licking me in the face, but laid neatly curled asleep beside the hearth. After an hour of uni ...
W4538
25.05.2011
G.R. and M.F. for Le C.C.C.
WWW
Cher A.U.P., nous abordons ces côtes optiques par cette lettre intraduisible pour essayer de décrocher un peu d'argent, ou du moins poursuivre notre existence momentanée par votre lecture profane. Ayant montré un intérêt pour les projets irré ...
Cher A.U.P., nous abordons ces côtes optiques par cette lettre intraduisible pour essayer de décrocher un peu d'argent, ou du moins poursuivre notre existence momentanée par votre lecture profane. Ayant montré un intérêt pour les projets irré ...
W3610
13.05.2011
Click An inverted press conference.  - Tina Willgren
WWW
From the opposing sides of a conference room, two groups of press photographers, videographers and sound technicians (20-40 persons in all) enter. Their aim is to document the movements, poses, sounds and facial expressions of the other group, as well as ...
From the opposing sides of a conference room, two groups of press photographers, videographers and sound technicians (20-40 persons in all) enter. Their aim is to document the movements, poses, sounds and facial expressions of the other group, as well as ...
W5234
09.10.2012
Chocolate Video - Erika Norris
WWW
PROJECT: CHOCOLATE VIDEO – September 2012 The idea is to create a video where I use the images of someone (myself) eating large quantities of chocolate. I then want to include images of my body interacting with chocolate. I am thinking of pouring cho ...
PROJECT: CHOCOLATE VIDEO – September 2012 The idea is to create a video where I use the images of someone (myself) eating large quantities of chocolate. I then want to include images of my body interacting with chocolate. I am thinking of pouring cho ...
W4677
26.05.2011
storefront display sale - Jenny Polak
WWW
Alien Vernacular: storefront display sale Jenny Polak, In Practice Proposal for Sculpture Center, 2008 For this project I will to go round stores in different NY neighbourhoods, to collect (document by drawing and photographing) their designs for exte ...
Alien Vernacular: storefront display sale Jenny Polak, In Practice Proposal for Sculpture Center, 2008 For this project I will to go round stores in different NY neighbourhoods, to collect (document by drawing and photographing) their designs for exte ...
U9277
01.01.1997
PROPOSALl + VOORSTEL - Guillame Bijl
Unbuilt Roads
An abstract sculpture is standing on an ellipse pavement platform, surrounded by city lights, a city seal and a small flower arrangement. Een buitenaards stalen abstract object (±7m) is midden in de stadskem geland. Er zijn balustraden rond gebouwd. ...
An abstract sculpture is standing on an ellipse pavement platform, surrounded by city lights, a city seal and a small flower arrangement. Een buitenaards stalen abstract object (±7m) is midden in de stadskem geland. Er zijn balustraden rond gebouwd. ...
W4638
25.05.2011
SITUTOPIK - DEHOVE Claire
WWW
SITUTOPIK L’école-cité de l’imaginaire et de la citoyenneté. Projet du 1 % ARTISTIQUE DU COLLEGE EUGENE VIGNE A BEAUCAIRE Claire Dehove avec Loraine Djidi ...
SITUTOPIK L’école-cité de l’imaginaire et de la citoyenneté. Projet du 1 % ARTISTIQUE DU COLLEGE EUGENE VIGNE A BEAUCAIRE Claire Dehove avec Loraine Djidi ...
W4355
25.05.2011
Veil of Ignorance - James Bae
WWW
Veil of Ignorance The proposal is to hold a weekly discourse on the site of the now demolished Stadtschloß and Palast der Republik. The chosen site is heavily charged with history, having been the seat of the Brandenburg Electors, Prussian Kings, and ...
Veil of Ignorance The proposal is to hold a weekly discourse on the site of the now demolished Stadtschloß and Palast der Republik. The chosen site is heavily charged with history, having been the seat of the Brandenburg Electors, Prussian Kings, and ...
W5167
25.09.2012
On lap - Lubomyr Tymkiv
WWW
On lap. The exhibition, which is on his knees in an outstanding person. It can be knee President of the State, or the Dalai Lama or the Pope or Anders Breivik. Exhibition itself is a cardboard box in which are my work. Duration of action of 15 to 30 ...
On lap. The exhibition, which is on his knees in an outstanding person. It can be knee President of the State, or the Dalai Lama or the Pope or Anders Breivik. Exhibition itself is a cardboard box in which are my work. Duration of action of 15 to 30 ...
W3574
12.05.2011
Intravenous Robot Painting Arm Extension Version #1 - Peter T. Christenson
WWW
The proposed unrealized project tentatively titled Intravenous Robot Painting Arm Extension Version #1 would be comprised of IV tubing and a variation of my microbot—an amoeba of a robot built with a paintbrush, a 3VDC Micro Vibration Motor, and a 3V l ...
The proposed unrealized project tentatively titled Intravenous Robot Painting Arm Extension Version #1 would be comprised of IV tubing and a variation of my microbot—an amoeba of a robot built with a paintbrush, a 3VDC Micro Vibration Motor, and a 3V l ...
W4399
25.05.2011
Go Find me a Boy - Mansha Chhatwal
WWW
I, Mansha Chhatwal, am an artist with a background in advertising. After a 15 year stint in advertising, during which I worked in several agencies including Rediffusion Y&R, Bates India, Everest brand communications and Mudra DDB , I quit finally about a ...
I, Mansha Chhatwal, am an artist with a background in advertising. After a 15 year stint in advertising, during which I worked in several agencies including Rediffusion Y&R, Bates India, Everest brand communications and Mudra DDB , I quit finally about a ...
W5151
24.09.2012
Studiolo - Angelika Böck
WWW
STUDIOLO (seit 2006) ist eine als Archiv funktionierende Klanginstallation, die VertreterInnen verschiedener Disziplinen rund um die Thematik Erkenntnis befragt. Auf den ersten Blick gibt es nicht viel zu sehen: ein weißer, mit Texten bedeckter Kubus, de ...
STUDIOLO (seit 2006) ist eine als Archiv funktionierende Klanginstallation, die VertreterInnen verschiedener Disziplinen rund um die Thematik Erkenntnis befragt. Auf den ersten Blick gibt es nicht viel zu sehen: ein weißer, mit Texten bedeckter Kubus, de ...
W4977
24.08.2012
More Light - Ana Torfs
WWW
Ana Torfs, MORE LIGHT (2007) Animated light sculpture in white neon letters. The two words, at 35 meters above street level, measure 18 m (L) x 2 m (H). Four visual artists had been invited to propose a work for the new campus of the Sint-Lukas U ...
Ana Torfs, MORE LIGHT (2007) Animated light sculpture in white neon letters. The two words, at 35 meters above street level, measure 18 m (L) x 2 m (H). Four visual artists had been invited to propose a work for the new campus of the Sint-Lukas U ...
W4427
25.05.2011
THE AUDIENCE IS DEAD  - fabienne audeoud
WWW
THE AUDIENCE IS DEAD Fabienne Audéoud In 2000, I was living in London when my partner went mad. I fully realized it the night he obsessively asked me if I understood that millions of people were dying in Africa. I had replied that I couldn’t, I jus ...
THE AUDIENCE IS DEAD Fabienne Audéoud In 2000, I was living in London when my partner went mad. I fully realized it the night he obsessively asked me if I understood that millions of people were dying in Africa. I had replied that I couldn’t, I jus ...
W4748
27.05.2011
Retail Therapy - Double A Projects (A. Robles & A. Stein)
WWW
PROPOSAL Title of project: Retail Therapy By: Athena Robles and Anna Stein (aka Double A Projects) Similar to our public project Global Free Store, Retail Therapy is a non-commercial storefront and exhibition that would offer various service ...
PROPOSAL Title of project: Retail Therapy By: Athena Robles and Anna Stein (aka Double A Projects) Similar to our public project Global Free Store, Retail Therapy is a non-commercial storefront and exhibition that would offer various service ...
W5055
03.09.2012
School in Berriozar - Taller Basico de Arquitectura [TBA]
WWW
School in Berriozar (2008) The building offers a unified image according to its public condition. This image is based on the sum of modular elements that respond to the program. The proposal provides a reference image inside Berriozar's residential are ...
School in Berriozar (2008) The building offers a unified image according to its public condition. This image is based on the sum of modular elements that respond to the program. The proposal provides a reference image inside Berriozar's residential are ...
W3575
12.05.2011
CD COVER SCULPTURE. Concepts. - Javier Lamela
WWW
It sums up a trip to a temporary place where you live and work for a period of time. It depicts a leaf, not a seed which calls for roots, transported by wind, in a movement that goes along with the Planet Earth. It is, in fact, a digital leaf consisting o ...
It sums up a trip to a temporary place where you live and work for a period of time. It depicts a leaf, not a seed which calls for roots, transported by wind, in a movement that goes along with the Planet Earth. It is, in fact, a digital leaf consisting o ...
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 ...
W5052
03.09.2012
Hall of Residence for the UPV - Taller Basico de Arquitectura [TBA]
WWW
Hall of Residence for the UPV (2011) AIR STRATA This metal cloud made from three air strata rises on its own footprint. The interior is opened into two equal halves, generating a large interior street opened to the sky and to the ground plane, which ...
Hall of Residence for the UPV (2011) AIR STRATA This metal cloud made from three air strata rises on its own footprint. The interior is opened into two equal halves, generating a large interior street opened to the sky and to the ground plane, which ...
W3859
19.05.2011
Waiting room: A History of Doing Nothing and a Long Tale of Useful Action - Guillermo E. Rodriguez Rivera
WWW
G A L E R I A M A N G O S T A 23 June – 31 July 2011 402 Muñoz Rivera Ave FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Galeria Mangosta is pleased to present Waiting room: a history of doing nothing and a long tale of useful action. Looking at the pivotal role of ...
G A L E R I A M A N G O S T A 23 June – 31 July 2011 402 Muñoz Rivera Ave FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Galeria Mangosta is pleased to present Waiting room: a history of doing nothing and a long tale of useful action. Looking at the pivotal role of ...