Culture Surfing - Elliott Erwitt’s Top Five

Elliott Erwitt (b. 1928), whose work is on view at Jackson Fine Art through April 23, is one of photography’s most recognized names and a man who, as this list indicates, carries the whimsy of his photographs into his daily life.

1) Shoes with Velcro: “They’re very convenient because my frequent travels require that I take my shoes off to pass security, and they’re great for my frequent stays in Japan where you need to take off your shoes all the time.”

2) Mozart’s 250-year birthday: “It makes for lots of concerts and broadcasts of his sublime music.”

3) The ocean: “Specifically, sitting on a beach chair at water’s edge wearing a light sweater in 60-degree temperature with a mild wind blowing, and facing the ocean while thinking about the meaning of life.”

4) Amedeo Modigliani: “A superb exhibition of my favorite painter has been traveling around many world venues.”

5) Departed friends: “The profound memory of my friends and colleagues such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Inge Morath, Robert Doisneau and others who have departed this world makes me think what I try to do in their spirit might be worthwhile.”