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.

Placid Earth: A Project for the Meeting of Millennia - Cai Guo Quiang

The World is a Theater and we each have a role - Louise Bourgeois

Projekt für die Landschaft des Mont-de-Sene (Burgund) im Rahmen eines öffentlichen Auftrags des französischen Kultusministeriums - Markus Raetz

PROPOSALl + VOORSTEL - Guillame Bijl

WATERWORKS - Mona Hatoum

MAK - Wien  - Rosemarie Trockel

Catwalk - Sylive Fleury

Fax Transmission - Raymond Pettibone and Jason Rhoades

654 THINGS from The United States - Edward Ruscha

Chen H.V.O + G.T. - Bertrand Lavier

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W4398
25.05.2011
Lars Bergmann
WWW
a project which are unrealized because of the world financial crisis. ...
a project which are unrealized because of the world financial crisis. ...
W7067
24.11.2013
Ardfert “Miracle Hill”  - Julie Forrester
WWW
THEMES The theme will be Ardfert “Miracle Hill”. Ideas about miracles will be explored playfully by posing questions: What exactly is a miracle? Do you know any miracles? Are miracles real? Do we need them? Who are the people who inhabit miracles? ...
THEMES The theme will be Ardfert “Miracle Hill”. Ideas about miracles will be explored playfully by posing questions: What exactly is a miracle? Do you know any miracles? Are miracles real? Do we need them? Who are the people who inhabit miracles? ...
W5903
18.10.2013
Scouts - Matthijs Muller
WWW
Instead of nature represented by some poor trees put in a "pot" between towering office-buildings these trees (in concrete "pots", with dustbins but without benches) scout new territory for future city expansion, just outside but still within sight of the ...
Instead of nature represented by some poor trees put in a "pot" between towering office-buildings these trees (in concrete "pots", with dustbins but without benches) scout new territory for future city expansion, just outside but still within sight of the ...
W5319
18.10.2012
Islay Tower - Isaac Sullivan
WWW
Islay Tower is a would-be real estate development and online visual calendar: a tower of air, in the Inner Hebrides, that will be gradually made visible by images. My attempt to initiate this project in June 2012 failed due to transportation problems I en ...
Islay Tower is a would-be real estate development and online visual calendar: a tower of air, in the Inner Hebrides, that will be gradually made visible by images. My attempt to initiate this project in June 2012 failed due to transportation problems I en ...
W4428
25.05.2011
The architectural charter - Philippe Rahm
WWW
The architectural charter Project for Vassivière, France From 2003 All the territory of Vassivière, France ...
The architectural charter Project for Vassivière, France From 2003 All the territory of Vassivière, France ...
W3915
20.05.2011
Gorica Orsholits
WWW
This is one of my first projects where I tried to reflect on my personal emotional state towards the war in Bosnia (1992-1995), and the notion of constantly “living between two wars" experiences by many generations born in the turmoil Balkan region. ...
This is one of my first projects where I tried to reflect on my personal emotional state towards the war in Bosnia (1992-1995), and the notion of constantly “living between two wars" experiences by many generations born in the turmoil Balkan region. ...
W4232
24.05.2011
Framing al-Zarqawi - Nicholas Knight
WWW
Nicholas Knight Framing al-Zarqawi, 2006 Mixed media installation, including framed photographs, podium, US and Iraqi flags, rugs, easels, curtain, furniture, etc. Size determined by installation [never realized] In June 2006, US-led forces in Ir ...
Nicholas Knight Framing al-Zarqawi, 2006 Mixed media installation, including framed photographs, podium, US and Iraqi flags, rugs, easels, curtain, furniture, etc. Size determined by installation [never realized] In June 2006, US-led forces in Ir ...
W3539
11.05.2011
Grey Blob, 2010 - Alexandra Kennedy
WWW
Unrealised Project No. 2. Grey Blob, 2010. ‘Did you know that our planet is in imminent danger of being devoured by a giant grey blob? ...The world-consuming “grey goo” would actually be an uncontrollable mass of self-replicating, molecular- ...
Unrealised Project No. 2. Grey Blob, 2010. ‘Did you know that our planet is in imminent danger of being devoured by a giant grey blob? ...The world-consuming “grey goo” would actually be an uncontrollable mass of self-replicating, molecular- ...
U9492
01.01.1996
"Ileana, I love you" - Maurizo Cattelan
Unbuilt Roads
1996 progetto "ilana, I love you" per la galleria Stefano Basilico di New York. Molte persone che conoscono Stefano Basilica per la sua galleria, conoscono anche che Stefano e' stato collaboratore per circa dieci anni alla galleria Sonnabend. Questo ...
1996 progetto "ilana, I love you" per la galleria Stefano Basilico di New York. Molte persone che conoscono Stefano Basilica per la sua galleria, conoscono anche che Stefano e' stato collaboratore per circa dieci anni alla galleria Sonnabend. Questo ...
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 ...
W4246
24.05.2011
Untitled project - Nobuo Yoda
WWW
Untitled project Nobuo Yoda This project is a proposal for Daikanyama Installation 2009 that was rejected. Daikanyama Installation 2009 is a call for installations that is held every two years in Daikanyama area (Meguro Ward), ...
Untitled project Nobuo Yoda This project is a proposal for Daikanyama Installation 2009 that was rejected. Daikanyama Installation 2009 is a call for installations that is held every two years in Daikanyama area (Meguro Ward), ...
W5294
16.10.2012
Western Gateway to Iowa - Andrew Leicester
WWW
Western Gateway to Iowa – The Energy State Iowa is the largest US producer of corn which is increasing devoted to ethanol production. Iowa is also a leader in wind power generation especially in the western edges of the state. Iowa’s most famous ...
Western Gateway to Iowa – The Energy State Iowa is the largest US producer of corn which is increasing devoted to ethanol production. Iowa is also a leader in wind power generation especially in the western edges of the state. Iowa’s most famous ...
W4083
23.05.2011
The Queen’s Sconce - Anna Walker
WWW
The Queen’s Sconce brief: to enhance the new Queen’s Sconce bridge, which was installed in summer 2010. The commission - to respond to the new bridge, the setting, Civil War History and the story of the Sconce itself. The existing design takes its ins ...
The Queen’s Sconce brief: to enhance the new Queen’s Sconce bridge, which was installed in summer 2010. The commission - to respond to the new bridge, the setting, Civil War History and the story of the Sconce itself. The existing design takes its ins ...
W3789
18.05.2011
DREAMS IN THE SEA-WITCH HOUSE-BOAT - Mollie Mckinley
WWW
In July 2010, a draft of this artwork was created as an experimental 24-hour site-specific installation in Far Rockaway, Brooklyn, curated by Jess Shaefer, former Director of Hendershot Gallery, NYC. The final and complete boat, as outlined below, has no ...
In July 2010, a draft of this artwork was created as an experimental 24-hour site-specific installation in Far Rockaway, Brooklyn, curated by Jess Shaefer, former Director of Hendershot Gallery, NYC. The final and complete boat, as outlined below, has no ...
W3684
16.05.2011
Terje Nicolaisen
WWW
Sketches has indeed been looked upon as valuable, through various historians and art lovers. Even the meta-character of the proposals has been valued, but not to fulfilment. Leonardo da Vinci's draw- ings for a helicopter in the renaissance was seen at th ...
Sketches has indeed been looked upon as valuable, through various historians and art lovers. Even the meta-character of the proposals has been valued, but not to fulfilment. Leonardo da Vinci's draw- ings for a helicopter in the renaissance was seen at th ...
W5181
29.09.2012
Binary Kruno - Kruno Jost
WWW
COMPUTER GENERATED ARTISTS /// under construction - working name BinaryKruno WHAT: Binary Kruno (BK) is a critique of the system of artistic production in modern times. The project aims to discover through research whether approaches to funding artistic ...
COMPUTER GENERATED ARTISTS /// under construction - working name BinaryKruno WHAT: Binary Kruno (BK) is a critique of the system of artistic production in modern times. The project aims to discover through research whether approaches to funding artistic ...
W5452
20.10.2012
TRANSCULTURAL BODHISATTVA STUDIES: RE-CONSIDERING THE BODHISATTVA ICON IN A TRANSCULTURAL AND GLOBAL CONTEXT - Isabel Seliger
WWW
Oct. 20, 2012 Isabel Seliger, PhD Proposal for Berliner Künstlerprogramm/ DAAD “unrealized projects” TRANSCULTURAL BODHISATTVA STUDIES: RE-CONSIDERING THE BODHISATTVA ICON IN A TRANSCULTURAL AND GLOBAL CONTEXT Project Abstract: Art histor ...
Oct. 20, 2012 Isabel Seliger, PhD Proposal for Berliner Künstlerprogramm/ DAAD “unrealized projects” TRANSCULTURAL BODHISATTVA STUDIES: RE-CONSIDERING THE BODHISATTVA ICON IN A TRANSCULTURAL AND GLOBAL CONTEXT Project Abstract: Art histor ...
W4420
25.05.2011
Michel NORTH
WWW
Household aluminium foil sculptures - development of a "fa presto" technique in sculpture. Those are two examples of statues (image 1: 1978; image 2: 1985), unrealised in that sense that the technique used and developped by me about 50 years ago still do ...
Household aluminium foil sculptures - development of a "fa presto" technique in sculpture. Those are two examples of statues (image 1: 1978; image 2: 1985), unrealised in that sense that the technique used and developped by me about 50 years ago still do ...
W3612
13.05.2011
Gonna Make you Sweat (2008) - Divya Mehra
WWW
Filmed & edited (2007-2008) during Columbia University's planned expansion in Harlem, Gonna Make you Sweat (2008) had big plans to rival Harlem's monolithic neighborhood endorsements. The work teeters within a space of uncertainty; does it function as a ...
Filmed & edited (2007-2008) during Columbia University's planned expansion in Harlem, Gonna Make you Sweat (2008) had big plans to rival Harlem's monolithic neighborhood endorsements. The work teeters within a space of uncertainty; does it function as a ...
W4856
08.08.2012
Autovisor - Dan Riley
WWW
AutoVisor (tm) is a gps-based sunglass system that removes the need for sunglasses that sit upon the face. It uses gps location and clock in combination with the device consisting of two motors to correctly place the visor between the wearer's eyes and th ...
AutoVisor (tm) is a gps-based sunglass system that removes the need for sunglasses that sit upon the face. It uses gps location and clock in combination with the device consisting of two motors to correctly place the visor between the wearer's eyes and th ...
W4213
24.05.2011
MAXXI TV - ELASTIC Group of Artistic Research
WWW
MAXXI TV, unrealized project by ELASTIC Group of Artistic Research for the MAXXI- National Museum of the 21st Century Arts in Rome (Italy) Report on the approach to the subject,work placement and dialogue with the architecture of the museum: ...
MAXXI TV, unrealized project by ELASTIC Group of Artistic Research for the MAXXI- National Museum of the 21st Century Arts in Rome (Italy) Report on the approach to the subject,work placement and dialogue with the architecture of the museum: ...
W5088
10.09.2012
Reversed Tower of Babel - Jacek Dziubiński
WWW
Jacek Dziubiński REVERSED TOWER OF BABEL PLACE: Platz der Republik, Berlin, Germany IDEA: As described in the Bible (Genesis), for an attempt to enter the heaven and the sin of pride God mixed up languages of builders of the Tower of Babel. A ...
Jacek Dziubiński REVERSED TOWER OF BABEL PLACE: Platz der Republik, Berlin, Germany IDEA: As described in the Bible (Genesis), for an attempt to enter the heaven and the sin of pride God mixed up languages of builders of the Tower of Babel. A ...
W3751
18.05.2011
A FIRED FIELD - HECTOR MAVRIDIS
WWW
The action of breaking and turning over earth with a plow always fascinated me, the clods of earth being the result of this action, a simple 'gesture' from a machine which nevertheless brings about a dramatic change to the landscape, an awesome ephemeral ...
The action of breaking and turning over earth with a plow always fascinated me, the clods of earth being the result of this action, a simple 'gesture' from a machine which nevertheless brings about a dramatic change to the landscape, an awesome ephemeral ...
W5085
09.09.2012
The Great Public Sale of unrealized but brilliant Ideas - Prinz Gholam
WWW
In 2008 we made a collage which was a sketch to a deeper longing to create a performance in and for the Kamihohikawa studio of Kazuo Ohno. It was built by Ohno to create and practice his work. In 2010 Sarah Vanhee approached us to take part in her project ...
In 2008 we made a collage which was a sketch to a deeper longing to create a performance in and for the Kamihohikawa studio of Kazuo Ohno. It was built by Ohno to create and practice his work. In 2010 Sarah Vanhee approached us to take part in her project ...
W4435
25.05.2011
"Jello Cube," or "Eat Your Way In": - "Jello Cube," or "Eat Your Way In"
WWW
"Jello Cube," or "Eat Your Way In": A solid block of strawberry Jello will be installed on location at Actual Size Los Angeles. This sculpture/ installation will measure 1,690 cubic feet and will occupy the 2,250 cubic foot gallery with a 1 foot periph ...
"Jello Cube," or "Eat Your Way In": A solid block of strawberry Jello will be installed on location at Actual Size Los Angeles. This sculpture/ installation will measure 1,690 cubic feet and will occupy the 2,250 cubic foot gallery with a 1 foot periph ...
W3691
16.05.2011
Rolf Hinterecker
WWW
The train will be fixed in a steal frame construction Most of the complex construction is placed under the water surface. Counterbalances in the cube are needed for the balance. Several boom supports floating short above the ground will protect an overset ...
The train will be fixed in a steal frame construction Most of the complex construction is placed under the water surface. Counterbalances in the cube are needed for the balance. Several boom supports floating short above the ground will protect an overset ...