"What an amazing artist! She is the first woman that I was ever introduced to that played classical piano and melded it with her own style and emotions! I think the whole world should know and respect Nina Simone as I believe she is one of the absolute GREATS! The song 'Sinnerman' on this record is one of my all time favorites and whenever I hear her music, it reminds me to be as different, and skillful, and brave that I can be. And this song is the best way to feel this way."

"For all the splendors in this masterpiece, it’s another scene of actors watching a film within the film that left an impression on me. Guido is in a theater watching rushes of various actresses auditioning for the part of his mistress, while his wife (Anouk Aimée)—trying to contain her conflicted emotions—finally gets up to leave. This sequence was the basis for 8½ Screens, an art installation I did for the opening of TIFF Bell Lightbox, the home of the Toronto International Film Festival. There’s a clip of it on YouTube."