Photos courtesy of The Macallan
The Macallan is one of the most cultured major brands of scotch as well as the most versatile. While the spirit's L.A. events are known for their approachable cocktails and samplings, imaginative food and visual panache, nothing brought the taste of Scotland so close to home quite like the U.S. Launch of the Macallan Masters of Photography series starring the photos of Elliott Erwitt at Leica Gallery Los Angeles, near Robertson and Beverly Boulevards, where culture, art and fashion also intersect.
The occasion was to promote the latest luxury packaging of art book and artisanal scotch. The Masters of Photography: Elliott Erwitt. The Elliott Erwitt Edition (retailing for $1,500 U.S.) comprises a bespoke photo-archival book featuring a total of 158 images, shot by Elliott during his trip, with a 375ml handmade glass flask containing a never before released single cask malt whisky concealed within its pages.
Thanks to the presence of Matthew McConnaghy (on the eve of release of his eagerly anticipated Dallas Buyers Club), wife Camila Alves, Kevin McKidd and Elliott Erwitt (whose physical presence itself is a map of Scotland), the glammed up gallery opening had a substantial amount of wattage. However, this could not be a Macallan event without samplings and sips. While bartenders and servers passed around libations, there was also an interactive element where the photos themselves were paired with an expression of Macallan, hand-selected by Whisky Maker Bob Dalgarno to interpret the essence of corresponding photographs.
“The incredible richness and depth of character found in every Macallan whisky lends itself perfectly to this year’s Masters of Photography offering. Selecting 58 individual single cask malt whiskies to bring to life Elliott’s 58 favorite images of his Great Scottish Adventure was wonderfully challenging – tasting the image through the whisky and the whisky through the image on such an unprecedented scale was inspiring,” stated Bob Dalgarno.
While the stalwart Erwitt’s best known worldwide for several key American subjects, such as the incredibly poignant portrait of Jackie Kennedy at her husband’s funeral, and intimate shots of Marilyn Monroe on the set of The Misfits. He has now turned his lens on Scotland. Shot against evocative backdrops in the Highlands and Islands, Glasgow and Edinburgh, Erwitt captures the the very essence and soul of the country, the traditions and eccentricities of the Scottish people, as well as, his most loved subjects – dogs.
“The creative excellence showcased by Masters of Photography has become synonymous with The Macallan," said Ken Grier, Director of Malts, The Edrington Group (the parent company. "Working with Elliott Erwitt, the world’s most influential living photographer has been both an honor and personal highlight. With his signature playfulness and witty juxtapositions, we couldn’t think of anyone better to capture the quirkiness of Scottish character and heartland of The Macallan.”
For further information on Elliott Erwitt and the Masters of Photography, visit www.themastersofphotography.com.
