PITTSBURGH, PA.- The Andy Warhol Museum announces Warhol By the Book, the first United States exhibition to concentrate on Andy Warhol’s book work. Warhol By the Book opened at The Warhol Saturday, October 10, 2015, and it is on view through Sunday, January 10, 2016.

This exhibition, curated by The Warhol’s Chief Archivist Matt Wrbican, presents Warhol’s book work, from early student-work illustrations of the late 1940s, through to his career as a commercial artist in the 1950s, Pop artist and underground filmmaker in the 1960s, and photographer and Pop culture icon of the 1970s–80s.

“Warhol lived most of his life in the pre-digital era, when books and other printed materials were everywhere. Much of his effort was given to creating work for print, especially in books,” says Wrbican. “Some of his lesser-known work for books can even be said to mark major turning points in his work, such as around 1960, when he decided to move from charming illustrations to serious fine art in the then-daring new mode of Pop Art.”

Warhol continually experimented in his work, and this freedom is evident in his books, which often question the common notion of what a book can be. Andy Warhol’s Index (Book) (1967), was the first of several publications to defy the definition of what a book could be. This seminal work is complete with sound recordings, balloons, fold-outs, holograms, pop-ups, and even a do-it-yourself nose job. While Warhol authored many books (in collaboration with his assistants), these efforts are often overlooked, though they provide a valuable window into Warhol's creative interests.

Warhol By the Book provides a nearly complete overview of Warhol’s work on books. More than 400 objects relating to more than 80 book titles including unfinished projects, original drawings, manuscripts, paintings, prints, photographs, artist’s books, and other materials that reveal his processes in their creation are featured in the exhibition. Many of the books are presented on digital tablets, as well as the original printed editions, to allow for a more complete viewing experience.