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.

NON REALIZED PROJECTS - Christo and Jeanne-Claude

La Guerra De Los Simbolos - Victor Grippo

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

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

Cruzeiro Do Sul, (Southern Cross) (Crucero del Sur) 1969-70* - Cildo Meireles

"Free Space" - Michelangelo Pistoletto

Passage - Richard Wentworth

Projets non réalisés: - Daniel Buren

MODELL OF AN OFFICE FOR A COUPLE OF TWINS, BOTH 1,38 TALL" - Tobias Rehrenberg

Project for the Initiative Mahnmal Homosexuellenverfolgung, Frankfurt  - Jeff Wall

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
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Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
W5449
20.10.2012
BUILDING DRAWING II: "SEEDBED, AND...”  - Ann Daly
WWW
Ann Daly adaly@aya.yale.edu BUILDING DRAWING II: "SEEDBED, AND...” is a play on Acconci's performance of similar name. The 'SeedBed, and…” is meant to be entered through a below ground tunnel, just large enough for a six foot person, who ste ...
Ann Daly adaly@aya.yale.edu BUILDING DRAWING II: "SEEDBED, AND...” is a play on Acconci's performance of similar name. The 'SeedBed, and…” is meant to be entered through a below ground tunnel, just large enough for a six foot person, who ste ...
W3877
19.05.2011
Sound Of Trains - Derek Michael Besant
WWW
sound of underground train from another city as audio integration downtown in Canadian city Client: City of Calgary Development Dept. / Canada Date: 2002 Audio art integration into minor city pedestrian sidewalk downtown Calgary Alberta Canada. T ...
sound of underground train from another city as audio integration downtown in Canadian city Client: City of Calgary Development Dept. / Canada Date: 2002 Audio art integration into minor city pedestrian sidewalk downtown Calgary Alberta Canada. T ...
W4320
24.05.2011
Unrealized Project Title: Found Object: Robert Allen  - Antoinette LaFarge
WWW
Unrealized Project Title: Found Object: Robert Allen Initially proposed: 1991 Artist: Antoinette LaFarge Please refer to the accompanying JPEG from the original proposal. One day in 1991, I came across a flyer for a juried exhibition entitled “ ...
Unrealized Project Title: Found Object: Robert Allen Initially proposed: 1991 Artist: Antoinette LaFarge Please refer to the accompanying JPEG from the original proposal. One day in 1991, I came across a flyer for a juried exhibition entitled “ ...
W4804
07.08.2012
1st Draft - Yoshiko Shimada
WWW
"1st Draft", 3"59, Video. Perceptions of thought prompted through language may also be translated to language molding our perceptions of time. The concept of time through language interested me because people always speak of “living in the present” ...
"1st Draft", 3"59, Video. Perceptions of thought prompted through language may also be translated to language molding our perceptions of time. The concept of time through language interested me because people always speak of “living in the present” ...
W5116
17.09.2012
Die ideale Farm - Juan Fernando Toro Lopez
WWW
PROJEKTBESCHREIBUNG: Die ideale Farm Diese lebendige Installation ist ein landwirtschaftliches Projekt bezeichnet als Selbsterhaltungsprojekt. Es besteht aus einer fiktiven Farm, die in Form von Zeichnungen und Entwürfen festgehalten ist, die auf Gr ...
PROJEKTBESCHREIBUNG: Die ideale Farm Diese lebendige Installation ist ein landwirtschaftliches Projekt bezeichnet als Selbsterhaltungsprojekt. Es besteht aus einer fiktiven Farm, die in Form von Zeichnungen und Entwürfen festgehalten ist, die auf Gr ...
W3526
11.05.2011
T h e S o l a r E n e r g y F i e l d - Michael Jantzen
WWW
T h e S o l a r E n e r g y F i e l d Michael Jantzen © 2010 www.michaeljantzen.com ​My design inspiration for this alternative energy producing sculpture in the desert, comes from a conceptual symbolic representation of the micro energe ...
T h e S o l a r E n e r g y F i e l d Michael Jantzen © 2010 www.michaeljantzen.com ​My design inspiration for this alternative energy producing sculpture in the desert, comes from a conceptual symbolic representation of the micro energe ...
W3589
13.05.2011
Failed Music Store - Luke Munn
WWW
Work Description: In this proposed project for Watermans, 1000 bargain bin CDs are purchased and made available to visitors to browse, playback and take-away if they wish. Rather than a constantly updated library of the latest hits, these albums are the ...
Work Description: In this proposed project for Watermans, 1000 bargain bin CDs are purchased and made available to visitors to browse, playback and take-away if they wish. Rather than a constantly updated library of the latest hits, these albums are the ...
W3976
21.05.2011
Batya cavens
WWW
My body of work investigates, probes and puts to the test the boundaries of fine art. The concept is: traversing those formal academic and established definitions, and reaching into the academy of the street . ...
My body of work investigates, probes and puts to the test the boundaries of fine art. The concept is: traversing those formal academic and established definitions, and reaching into the academy of the street . ...
W4219
24.05.2011
I dream of you - Costa Vece
WWW
I would like to install a neon writing work with the sentence; I dream of you on the roof of the building, 4 avenue Henri Dunant, Plaine de Plainpalais in Geneva. The text of “ I dream of you “ should present the following ideas, imaginations an ...
I would like to install a neon writing work with the sentence; I dream of you on the roof of the building, 4 avenue Henri Dunant, Plaine de Plainpalais in Geneva. The text of “ I dream of you “ should present the following ideas, imaginations an ...
U9253
01.01.1969
A FAIRLY TALL TOWER, 48,000 Miles High -  - Siah Armajani
Unbuilt Roads
Location: Outer Space Status: Theoretical study Proposal to build a self-supporting tower suspended in space but anchored at one point to the earth (U. S. ). All synchronous satellites of the earth are located at the synchronous altitude. This al ...
Location: Outer Space Status: Theoretical study Proposal to build a self-supporting tower suspended in space but anchored at one point to the earth (U. S. ). All synchronous satellites of the earth are located at the synchronous altitude. This al ...
W3878
19.05.2011
SCISSORGATE - Derek Michael Besant
WWW
SCISSORGATE Client: Banker’s Hall Downtown Tower Entry / Calgary Alberta Canada Date: 2003 Based on the child’s game; Scissors, Paper, Rock, these giant forms create an obstacle course of forms akin to a Japanese Garden. The offset wall where t ...
SCISSORGATE Client: Banker’s Hall Downtown Tower Entry / Calgary Alberta Canada Date: 2003 Based on the child’s game; Scissors, Paper, Rock, these giant forms create an obstacle course of forms akin to a Japanese Garden. The offset wall where t ...
W4877
09.08.2012
Dream Vessels - Beth Surdut
WWW
You may find my Dream Vessels Project at http://www.bethsurdut.com/dreamvesselsproject.htm When I posted the concept in 2007, artists and engineers contacted me expecting or hoping that I would provide funding, which is not the case. I hope. ...
You may find my Dream Vessels Project at http://www.bethsurdut.com/dreamvesselsproject.htm When I posted the concept in 2007, artists and engineers contacted me expecting or hoping that I would provide funding, which is not the case. I hope. ...
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 ...
W4099
23.05.2011
Tyburn 
Tree
 - Rick Buckley
WWW
‘Tyburn Tree’ is a site‐specific (powder coated) steel structure. Elevated upon three vertical beams, measuring approx 6 metres in height. To stand at the original site of the infamous historical location for state executions, situated on a partiall ...
‘Tyburn Tree’ is a site‐specific (powder coated) steel structure. Elevated upon three vertical beams, measuring approx 6 metres in height. To stand at the original site of the infamous historical location for state executions, situated on a partiall ...
W3681
16.05.2011
Nick Crowe and Ian Rawlinson
WWW
The Blame is a proposal for an inflatable sign to be ferried around the island of Cyprus by Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot tug boats. The sign will be made from multi-coloured letters mounted on a floating pontoon and stand around 4 metres high. ...
The Blame is a proposal for an inflatable sign to be ferried around the island of Cyprus by Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot tug boats. The sign will be made from multi-coloured letters mounted on a floating pontoon and stand around 4 metres high. ...
W4616
25.05.2011
Unrealized project no. 09: Further Development or To Be in an Endless State of Flux - Ruben Aubrecht
WWW
Unrealized project no. 09: Further Development or To Be in an Endless State of Flux The work takes up the incessant developments in social, political and scientific matters and transfers this idea of a never-ending process allegorically onto buildings ...
Unrealized project no. 09: Further Development or To Be in an Endless State of Flux The work takes up the incessant developments in social, political and scientific matters and transfers this idea of a never-ending process allegorically onto buildings ...
W10569
12.06.2014
Roof Garden Proposal, Queen Street Station, Glasgow - Logan Sisley
WWW
This was a proposal in 2005 to plant a roof garden on a canopy connecting Queen Street Rail Station to Buchanan Street Subway Station. The idea was sent to various representatives in Scottish Rail and Strathclyde Passenger Transport. While it was deemed u ...
This was a proposal in 2005 to plant a roof garden on a canopy connecting Queen Street Rail Station to Buchanan Street Subway Station. The idea was sent to various representatives in Scottish Rail and Strathclyde Passenger Transport. While it was deemed u ...
W4722
26.05.2011
Broc Blegen
WWW
This is a proposal for a people's memorial in response to Hurricane Katrina, in which absurdly tall sandbag walls are built around important US flag poles across the city. The sandbags would be filled and stacked by each local community during day-long.. ...
This is a proposal for a people's memorial in response to Hurricane Katrina, in which absurdly tall sandbag walls are built around important US flag poles across the city. The sandbags would be filled and stacked by each local community during day-long.. ...
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. ...
W4434
25.05.2011
Untitled - Paul-Armand Gette
WWW
Paul-Armand Gette Untitled Project for the wood of sculptures of Vassivière island, France July 1991 On the top of a forest area behind the Centre international d’art et du paysage A block of granite chosen in the wooden part of Vassivière is ...
Paul-Armand Gette Untitled Project for the wood of sculptures of Vassivière island, France July 1991 On the top of a forest area behind the Centre international d’art et du paysage A block of granite chosen in the wooden part of Vassivière is ...
W4252
24.05.2011
Enter Slowly - Jo Mitchell
WWW
Enter Slowly – An Idea for a Proposal in Progress An open-ended, evolving, accumulative, partial, possible installation…… The Trailer: for the project or maybe the project only ever exists as a trailer, as an idea – a proposal! The Title ...
Enter Slowly – An Idea for a Proposal in Progress An open-ended, evolving, accumulative, partial, possible installation…… The Trailer: for the project or maybe the project only ever exists as a trailer, as an idea – a proposal! The Title ...
W4738
26.05.2011
Boxing Meese - Nadja Verena Marcin
WWW
Boxing Meese _ Nadja Verena Marcin _ 2006 This poster with the written information, see below, was papered all over the Auguststrasse in Berlin-Mitte in 2006. Du bist angeklagt! Du hast Herrn Blum beleidigt! Herr Blum ist unschuldig!... Gesicht zeige ...
Boxing Meese _ Nadja Verena Marcin _ 2006 This poster with the written information, see below, was papered all over the Auguststrasse in Berlin-Mitte in 2006. Du bist angeklagt! Du hast Herrn Blum beleidigt! Herr Blum ist unschuldig!... Gesicht zeige ...
W4406
25.05.2011
Incongruous Runaway Homes, to run away with or to run to. - Eleanna Horiti
WWW
Incongruous Runaway Homes, to run away with or to run to. A formulation of childhood visions The Runaway Roulotte was to be made of wooden planks and mud! A bicycle wheel with pedals attached to it and cart wheels. Its most important feature was tha ...
Incongruous Runaway Homes, to run away with or to run to. A formulation of childhood visions The Runaway Roulotte was to be made of wooden planks and mud! A bicycle wheel with pedals attached to it and cart wheels. Its most important feature was tha ...
W4911
14.08.2012
Curricula vitae - Joseph Redwood-Martinez
WWW
Curricula vitae Elective ethnic studies programs throughout the state of Arizona have been under intense scrutiny since 2010, when Governor Jan Brewer signed HB 2281 into law, forbidding public or charter schools from offering at any grade level course ...
Curricula vitae Elective ethnic studies programs throughout the state of Arizona have been under intense scrutiny since 2010, when Governor Jan Brewer signed HB 2281 into law, forbidding public or charter schools from offering at any grade level course ...
W4912
14.08.2012
Kiarash Alimi
WWW
An artwork for a better understanding of the necessity of Arab-Israeli peace. This artwork is based on the metonymic nature of the hebrew word eretz meaning land, soil and ground. Land that is for israelites to take back with bloody wars against other ...
An artwork for a better understanding of the necessity of Arab-Israeli peace. This artwork is based on the metonymic nature of the hebrew word eretz meaning land, soil and ground. Land that is for israelites to take back with bloody wars against other ...
W4663
25.05.2011
Arbeit Macht Nicht Frei (Work doens’t bring freedom)  - DARR TAH LEI
WWW
Arbeit Macht Nicht Frei (Work doens’t bring freedom) Project for an installation 4 drawings hanged on 4 walls, masses of heavy chains hanging from the ceiling. Area of room needed - minimum 40 mt2 This artwork happens with the intention to emphasize t ...
Arbeit Macht Nicht Frei (Work doens’t bring freedom) Project for an installation 4 drawings hanged on 4 walls, masses of heavy chains hanging from the ceiling. Area of room needed - minimum 40 mt2 This artwork happens with the intention to emphasize t ...