Pittsburgh scavenger hunt celebrates “Warhol By The Book”

Pop culture icon and native Pittsburgher Andy Warhol is known internationally for his unique artwork, but many don’t know he produced a notable collection of books and illustrations as well. The Warhol Book Hunt looks to change that, with a new Andy Warhol Museum exhibit that encompasses the entire city. More than 150 books are scattered across Pittsburgh landmarks as a kind of scavenger hunt for Warhol By the Book. 

Each day, a new clue is revealed. So the third clue went like this: “If you’re so Inclined, take a ride to find today’s book!” 

The fastest sleuth to solve the puzzle and head to that day’s location, in this case the Duquesne Incline, will find a “lost book” from the Andy Warhol Museum. When finders return a book to the museum on the North Side, they’ll receive two free admission passes and be eligible to receive a special Andy Warhol Museum gift.

When all 160 books are returned to their shelves, the unique spines will recreate a work of art from the exhibit.

“The new exhibition showcases Andy Warhol’s work through the medium of books and illustrations that he did. It’s an area that people aren’t familiar with, but there are over 130 books in the exhibit,” explains Warhol Museum spokesman Josh Wigod.

The exhibit presents Warhol’s illustration work from late the 1940s through the 1980s. By the Book compiles Warhol’s unfinished projects, manuscripts and drawings presented in both original printed editions and digital tablets for ease of use.

Clues to the whereabouts of the books will be posted on The Warhol’s social media accounts and warholbookhunt.com. Participants can track the book hunt and share their discoveries on social media using #WarholBookHunt.

A scavenger hunt seemed like the perfect way to unveil Warhol’s lesser known illustration work, and it encourages Pittsburghers to look at their city in a different way.

“This is a city -wide hunt, we wanted people to discover something new in their adventure,” says Wigod. “We feel The Warhol is the same way. Every time you go there, there’s something new to explore.”

The massive citywide book hunt incorporates 50 hunt locations and 14 partner locations where multiple books will be hidden. Universities, cultural attractions, and restaurants are partnering with The Warhol museum to have books available on-site on a first-come, first-find basis. The Book Hunt website lists the partners.

Missed today’s clue? A new book location is revealed every weekday until January 10, 2016, the final day of the Warhol By the Book exhibit.