Exhibition

„Reading Andy Warhol“, Museum Brandhorst

Staging artist books. Creating spatial worlds.

The exhibition ‘Reading Andy Warhol’ opens up new approaches to Andy Warhol's artist books. At the Museum Brandhorst, it presents the book as an object, medium and work of art, translating it into independent, spatial worlds of experience.

The central design theme is the book itself: flaps, folds, staples and pages form the conceptual starting point. These principles shape the staging of the six square exhibition rooms. Sloping walls, custom-made plywood display cases and open, floating constructions reflect the physical logic of the book. Visible technology and a changing materiality of chipboard, metal and glass underline the experimental character of the exhibition.

Wall graphics and projected quotations accompany the rooms in a font inspired by Andy Warhol's early calligraphy. Muted, metallic wall colours in a raw industrial look create an atmospheric stage for the exhibits. Each room has its own appearance, a clear dramaturgy and a specific theme. An overarching arc of tension connects the exhibition from start to finish.

The books and book pages on display are shown horizontally, vertically or at an angle. Titles, quotations, introductory texts, thematic areas and object labels structure the content and support an individual approach to the work and its context.