Robert Indiana kept a series of illustrated journals during the late 1950s and 1960s, in which he discusses the development of his work as well as his daily life on Coenties Slip.

In his journal entry for June 23, 1961, Indiana records that he had stretchers delivered, and that he began to dismantle Election (now Electi), cutting it down to three panels and discarding its torn section (the painting had been damaged when the sculpture Zig fell on it). 

He also writes that J. (his partner, fashion designer John Kloss), wanted to see a film, so they went to see Don Quixote (a 1957 Soviet film). Indiana declares it "very well done, although rather Hollywoodesque."