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Accordion Book


“Document

Reflect

Plan

Build

Think     -      About Artist and Teacher practices” -- Arzu Mistry
I was initially resistant to the idea of creating an accordion book, maybe because I was afraid it would be too complex to make, or that I might use the materials Arzu gave us in the “wrong” way. But while reading the little manual, I noticed how she talks about the freedom of the process and how it doesn’t have to be perfect, that definitely gave me more room to experiment.

I also liked the fact that it’s a non-linear format. So I decided to give it a try, and ideas started coming to mind. Since I’ve been working with unprimed canvas with middle schoolers in the Zankel project, it made sense to include canvas in the book. It also felt right because I’m a painter and canvas is my traditional medium.

After creating the book cover and its skeleton with a little pocket, I started adding content. Very organically, I poured out some of my feelings about the current state of things here in the US. It’s definitely not an easy time for artists, educators-or humans in general. I try not to let negative emotions consume me, and I believe art helps us organize thoughts, process emotions and release rage.

I want to keep working on the book and layering new elements. I’m glad I stayed open to the process, it turns out this format can become an ongoing art documentation. Its structure helps me combine words with visuals,I’ve been crossing out text with paint to create new messages over the original ones. It’s a process I find both poetic and fragmented, which kind of reflects how my mind works.




  1. Part A of the book
  2. Book Cover
  3. Open Accordion 
  4. Cover and Part A of the book