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.

A House of Dust - Alison Knowles

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

Temple of the western buddha (1971 Kathmedu) - Herman de Vries

2 Architecture Towers - Robert Irwin

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

Entwurf für einen erneuerten Malkasten 1992 - 1994 - Ulrike Holthöfer

PROJECT FOR A COMMUNITY CENTER, AVENUE DES NARCISSES, CHENOVE - Vito Acconci

Aguapracasa - Gabriel Orozco

Brücke Wein-Kanal Arch. Hermann Czech, Wein - Franz West

Memorial - Ilya Kabakov

Agency of Unrealised Projects
Logo by Liam Gillick
#
Date
Title
Source
Description
Tags
U9742
26.03.1997
Theater der Leere - Werner Ruhnau and Yves Klein
Unbuilt Roads
Sehr geehrte Frau Sabolewski, auf Veranlassung von Herrn Obrist übersende ich Ihnen anbei die Kataloge " Yves Klein/Werner Ruhnau" und "Baukunst" . Dort finden Sie Zeichnungen, Modellfotos etc. , die Sie gern verwenden können. Das "Feuer-Wasser-Lu ...
Sehr geehrte Frau Sabolewski, auf Veranlassung von Herrn Obrist übersende ich Ihnen anbei die Kataloge " Yves Klein/Werner Ruhnau" und "Baukunst" . Dort finden Sie Zeichnungen, Modellfotos etc. , die Sie gern verwenden können. Das "Feuer-Wasser-Lu ...
W4372
25.05.2011
Ren Jie
WWW
In Chinese tradition,touch the land with feet is very important to one's health and life. If you are far away from the natural land,the soil,the water,the grass,you will become uncomfortable and sick. But today,urbanization make more and more peopl ...
In Chinese tradition,touch the land with feet is very important to one's health and life. If you are far away from the natural land,the soil,the water,the grass,you will become uncomfortable and sick. But today,urbanization make more and more peopl ...
W4189
24.05.2011
“What It’s Gonna Take“ - Anne Herzblut
WWW
“What It’s Gonna Take“ An installation about death, time and consumption The initial point fort this installation are thoughts about a very common place: about my own death. The question is: HOW MANY things and HOW MUCH I will need until I die ...
“What It’s Gonna Take“ An installation about death, time and consumption The initial point fort this installation are thoughts about a very common place: about my own death. The question is: HOW MANY things and HOW MUCH I will need until I die ...
W4793
13.06.2011
Between, Between, no More and Drink a Chair - Natalie Bell
WWW
This is a consciously utopian project aiming to create a very accessible and affordable pocket-sized handbook of English for Spanish-speaking immigrants in New York City. SEE PDF ...
This is a consciously utopian project aiming to create a very accessible and affordable pocket-sized handbook of English for Spanish-speaking immigrants in New York City. SEE PDF ...
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 ...
W3501
11.05.2011
The Replacement Weather - Rebecca Hackemann
WWW
The Replacement Weather consists of replacement clouds for replacement weather, consisting of sculptural light installation. In case the real clouds become defunct, obsolete or unusable, I am proposing a quasi spoof proposal format of a light and sculptur ...
The Replacement Weather consists of replacement clouds for replacement weather, consisting of sculptural light installation. In case the real clouds become defunct, obsolete or unusable, I am proposing a quasi spoof proposal format of a light and sculptur ...
W5063
04.09.2012
TheStore - Tine Wilde
WWW
TheStore: The Construct of a Life Package. Proposal for Arhus Kunstbygning 2011. The exhibition space is piled with boxes, containing (fragments of) works of art, gathered around a wooden framework. The visitor is invited to fill up the framework with ...
TheStore: The Construct of a Life Package. Proposal for Arhus Kunstbygning 2011. The exhibition space is piled with boxes, containing (fragments of) works of art, gathered around a wooden framework. The visitor is invited to fill up the framework with ...
W4432
25.05.2011
Name just add artist
WWW
Name: just add artist Numero 0 – Patrick Tuttofuoco Project of a collection of books 2003 Concept and editorial direction: Chiara Parisi Art Direction: Paola Manfrin Copywriting: Dario Villa This project unrealized of a collection of books in ...
Name: just add artist Numero 0 – Patrick Tuttofuoco Project of a collection of books 2003 Concept and editorial direction: Chiara Parisi Art Direction: Paola Manfrin Copywriting: Dario Villa This project unrealized of a collection of books in ...
W5076
05.09.2012
Sometimes I'm wrong - Teodoro Lupo
WWW
I was a male adolescent with a psychotherapist as a father. That lead to some conflicts. One of my favourite arguments that I can remember was: if you help a wicked person achieve a qualitative leap, does he become more or less bad? Which is the ladder yo ...
I was a male adolescent with a psychotherapist as a father. That lead to some conflicts. One of my favourite arguments that I can remember was: if you help a wicked person achieve a qualitative leap, does he become more or less bad? Which is the ladder yo ...
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 ...
W4293
24.05.2011
BATIBURRILLO(S) - BATIBURRILLOS
WWW
BATIBURRILLO(S) According to the Dictionary of the Royal Academy of Spanish Language (RAE) ‘Batiburrillo(s)’ means: 1. m. Mezcla de cosas, especialmente de guisados, que no dicen bien unas con otras. 1. m. Mixture of things, especially stews, t ...
BATIBURRILLO(S) According to the Dictionary of the Royal Academy of Spanish Language (RAE) ‘Batiburrillo(s)’ means: 1. m. Mezcla de cosas, especialmente de guisados, que no dicen bien unas con otras. 1. m. Mixture of things, especially stews, t ...
W3676
15.05.2011
THE DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS, ESQ., F.R.S. FROM 1659 TO 1669 WITH MEMOIR - Press this (The Rsnn Show)
WWW
PREFACE TO THE PRESENT EDITION. The Celebrated work here presented to the public under peculiar advantages may require a few introductory remarks. By the publication, during the last half century, of autobiographies, Diaries, and Records of Personal ...
PREFACE TO THE PRESENT EDITION. The Celebrated work here presented to the public under peculiar advantages may require a few introductory remarks. By the publication, during the last half century, of autobiographies, Diaries, and Records of Personal ...
W4734
26.05.2011
Dead but not gone - Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka
WWW
Dead but not gone …. Dead but not gone is a project about the dead things that once was live and living in this world. This was unrealized photography project that, recently I found as going back to my photography archive from 2005 to 2011, I have take ...
Dead but not gone …. Dead but not gone is a project about the dead things that once was live and living in this world. This was unrealized photography project that, recently I found as going back to my photography archive from 2005 to 2011, I have take ...
U9572
01.01.1992
Engel-Detektor - Jakob Gautel & Jason Karaïndros
Unbuilt Roads
"Looking into the heart of light, the silence . . . " - T. S. Eliot «Un agne passe» - „Ein Engel schwebt durch den Raum" - ein Moment due Ruhe, der selten geworden ist in unserer Gesellschaft, die vom visuellen und sonoren horror vacui verflogt wir ...
"Looking into the heart of light, the silence . . . " - T. S. Eliot «Un agne passe» - „Ein Engel schwebt durch den Raum" - ein Moment due Ruhe, der selten geworden ist in unserer Gesellschaft, die vom visuellen und sonoren horror vacui verflogt wir ...
W4569
25.05.2011
Giraffe  - Eduardo Villanueva
WWW
Giraffe A film idea by Eduardo Villanueva. The main idea depart from one story to creat another one. The piece is simple and consist in release a Giraffe in the streets of Venice, Italy and make a film with the Giraffe interacting with the people and ...
Giraffe A film idea by Eduardo Villanueva. The main idea depart from one story to creat another one. The piece is simple and consist in release a Giraffe in the streets of Venice, Italy and make a film with the Giraffe interacting with the people and ...
W3920
20.05.2011
Sameena Azam
WWW
The idealization of a perceived space is explored through the use of fluid materials. Materials of a liquid consistency have ‘no fixed shape and yield to external pressure’. The use of such materials has enabled for movement to be captured. ...
The idealization of a perceived space is explored through the use of fluid materials. Materials of a liquid consistency have ‘no fixed shape and yield to external pressure’. The use of such materials has enabled for movement to be captured. ...
W3634
14.05.2011
Centre Pompidou Mobile - Berger&Berger
WWW
Centre Pompidou Mobile

 Berger&Berger (Laurent P. Berger & Cyrille Berger) with T. Raynaud

 2009 Restricted competition

 1800 m²

Mobile art museum 

CNAC GEORGES-POMPIDOU, France

 Structural Engineer : Bollinger + Gro ...
Centre Pompidou Mobile

 Berger&Berger (Laurent P. Berger & Cyrille Berger) with T. Raynaud

 2009 Restricted competition

 1800 m²

Mobile art museum 

CNAC GEORGES-POMPIDOU, France

 Structural Engineer : Bollinger + Gro ...
W3906
20.05.2011
Michael Hanna
WWW
W5021
31.08.2012
Speakers Platform - Dimitris Dokatzis
WWW
SPEAKERS’ PLATFORM Concept of work ‘SPEAKERS’ PLATFORM’ is inspired by the protests that took place in Athens in the summer of 2011 across Syntagma (Constitution) Square. The protesters, known as “disappointed citizens”, in line with t ...
SPEAKERS’ PLATFORM Concept of work ‘SPEAKERS’ PLATFORM’ is inspired by the protests that took place in Athens in the summer of 2011 across Syntagma (Constitution) Square. The protesters, known as “disappointed citizens”, in line with t ...
W5100
13.09.2012
je vois passer les roses - Copa & Sordes
WWW
One more idea for ornaments in public space and in private life. See PDF ...
One more idea for ornaments in public space and in private life. See PDF ...
W4383
25.05.2011
Lunch - Tra Bouscaren
WWW
Tra Bouscaren: Lunch For the "Lunch" project, I propose to cut off a piece of my own ass and have it grown in a laboratory until it reaches some kind of meal-like proportions, and then eat it as a performance. In addition, I would like to to make ...
Tra Bouscaren: Lunch For the "Lunch" project, I propose to cut off a piece of my own ass and have it grown in a laboratory until it reaches some kind of meal-like proportions, and then eat it as a performance. In addition, I would like to to make ...
W4475
25.05.2011
Veronica Wilton
WWW
W3793
18.05.2011
Bathhaus - Guillermo Creus
WWW
This project was originally submitted to De Appel Curatorial Programme and was rejected in its original format (my original idea was to have the project proposal to be the project in itself). Freida Abtan, Peter Dobill and Aïda Ruilova. Curated by ...
This project was originally submitted to De Appel Curatorial Programme and was rejected in its original format (my original idea was to have the project proposal to be the project in itself). Freida Abtan, Peter Dobill and Aïda Ruilova. Curated by ...
W4982
27.08.2012
Brian Castellani
WWW
In addition to its pure genius, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is remarkable because it represents, in art history, the rare opportunity for an artist to present to the world a rather complete visual cosmology—something even Michelangelo, due to poli ...
In addition to its pure genius, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is remarkable because it represents, in art history, the rare opportunity for an artist to present to the world a rather complete visual cosmology—something even Michelangelo, due to poli ...
W3586
13.05.2011
A Starry Minute, 2007 - Katja Aglert
WWW
A Starry Minute proposes to collaborate with building owners in Times Square to turn off all of the commercial signage in the area (41 St. - 50 St. between Broadway and 7th Ave) simultaneously for one minute. A Starry Minute’s specific duration of 60 se ...
A Starry Minute proposes to collaborate with building owners in Times Square to turn off all of the commercial signage in the area (41 St. - 50 St. between Broadway and 7th Ave) simultaneously for one minute. A Starry Minute’s specific duration of 60 se ...
W5226
08.10.2012
ANF (Absolutely No Fucking) - ANF - Stephen Spurrier and Alexandra Lawson
WWW
ANF (Absolutely No Fucking) is an evolving story written collaboratively by Alexandra Lawson and Stephen Spurrier, describing a year in the life of Spurrier (in the 60's) which explores the concept of intimacy as a phenomenon. ANF (Absolutely No Fuckin ...
ANF (Absolutely No Fucking) is an evolving story written collaboratively by Alexandra Lawson and Stephen Spurrier, describing a year in the life of Spurrier (in the 60's) which explores the concept of intimacy as a phenomenon. ANF (Absolutely No Fuckin ...