In a triumphant return following a yearlong pandemic postponement, on Saturday evening, October 23, 2021, the 22nd annual TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art benefit dinner and contemporary art auction raised a record-breaking $11 million with funds benefiting amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, and the Dallas Museum of Art.
This year the Todd Fiscus–designed sold-out gala celebrated global phenom Yoshimoto Nara, who received the 2021 amfAR Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS presented by amfAR co-chairs of the board, T. Ryan Greenawalt and Kevin McClatchy. Co-hosted by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky at The Rachofsky House, along with Lisa and John Runyon, with presenting sponsor Nancy C. Rogers, nearly 500 guests enjoyed a world-class affair under the geodesic globe tent bedecked with organic shapes and colors inspired by Nara’s works. Palettes of chartreuse, burgundy, orange, and ivory within and outside the tent where enhanced by a leaf motif.
As guests enjoyed the signature caviar course, from the stage Howard Rachofsky, who cofounded the event with his wife Cindy, enthused: “Welcome back, and this year welcome back really means something. As we reflect on these past 18 months and the dramatic changes in everyone’s daily life, the opportunity to get together for two profoundly worthy causes is a reason to cheer. After a surreal absence last year, we are thrilled to be supporting amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art.”
Howard Rachofsky, on behalf of Dr. Anna Katherine Brodbeck, the Hoffman Family Senior Curator of Contemporary Art at the Dallas Museum of Art (who had a baby that very day!), introduced guests to Yoshitomo Nara.
The night began with a Tequila Casa Dragones, Moët Hennessy USA, and Belvedere cocktail
reception and an art and luxury item silent auction, followed by a seated, multi-course dinner. There were 130 works of art offered in the live and silent auctions as well as a number of luxury and experiential packages. At the dinner’s conclusion, Rita Ora entertained the crowd with a variety of her top hits, including, ”Let You Love Me,” “Ritual,” “Lonely Together,” and “Anywhere.”
Yoshitomo Nara. Photo by Kevin Tachman
Photography by Kevin Tachman and Bruno
The fast-paced and successful live auction following the dinner was hammered down by Michael Macaulay, Senior Vice President, Sotheby’s, Senior International Specialist, Contemporary Art. The live auction featured a number of works by María Berrío, Bosco Sodi, Asuka Anastacia Ogawa, Peter Bradley, Joel Mesler, Jiro Takamatsu, and Yoshitomo Nara.
The first-class fête is the largest U.S. fundraiser for amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art in support of essential AIDS research at amfAR and for the Contemporary Art Acquisitions Fund at the Dallas Museum of Art. To date, TWO x TWO has raised over $104 million for the beneficiaries over the past twenty-two years.
PATRON Magazine is the proud local media sponsor of TWO x TWO.
IN ATTENDANCE
VIPs and Sponsors
- Cindy and Howard Rachofsky – TWO x TWO Hosts and Founders
- Lisa and John Runyon – TWO x TWO Co-Hosts
- Rita Ora – Performer
- Dr. Agustín Arteaga – The Eugene McDermott Director, DMA
- T. Ryan Greenawalt – amfAR Co-Chair of the Board
- Kevin McClatchy – amfAR Co-Chair of the Board
- Michael Macaulay – Auctioneer – Senior Vice President, Sotheby’s | Senior International Specialist, Contemporary Art
- Geoffroy Van Raemdonck (CEO of Neiman Marcus)
- Keith Fox (CEO of Phaidon)
- Elisa and Stephen Summers (Highland Park Village)
- Ross Moody (Philanthropist)
Notable Attendees and Donors
- Yoshitomo Nara (Honored Artist)
- Todd Fiscus (Event Producer)
- Nancy C. Rogers (Art Patron and Philanthropist)
- Wes Gordon (Celebrated Designer)
- Moll Anderson (Philanthropist and New York Times Best-Seller)
- Dirk Nowitzki (Retired NBA All-Star, Former Dallas Mavericks)
- Cameron Silver (Founder of Decades)
- Cornelia Guest (Philanthropist and Author)
- Bosco Sodi (Artist)
- Adam Lippes (Celebrated Designer)
- Hassan Pierre (Co-founders of Maison de Mode)
An after-party, presented by Neiman Marcus, rocked the back garden of The Rachofsky House till the early hours of Sunday morning. The theme, also conceptualized by Todd Events, was “Big Love,” playing on the idea that “everything is bigger in Texas.” From hot pink and red decor to a screen projecting iconic movie kissing scenes onto a wall, no detail was too small to spare in the name of love.
Attracting a global guest list of VIPs over the years, celebrity sightings have included Alan Cumming, a dedicated supporter of TWO x TWO who has made numerous appearances at the event as both emcee and as a featured performer; Aloe Blacc, Taylor Dayne, CeeLo Green, John Benjamin Hickey, Cheyenne Jackson, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Shirley MacLaine, Barry Manilow, Gilles Marini, Ricky Martin, Jesse Metcalfe, Liza Minnelli, Natasha Richardson, Diana Ross, Gavin Rossdale, Teddy Sears, Sharon Stone, Ryan Tedder, Robin Thicke, Stanley Tucci, Diane Von Furstenberg, Dita Von Teese, Sigourney Weaver, and Zoe Saldana.
Renowned artists Alex Katz, Cecily Brown, Peter Doig, Tom Friedman, April Gornik, Mark Grotjahn, Wade Guyton, Jim Hodges, Ellsworth Kelly, Laura Owens, Elizabeth Peyton, Richard Phillips, Robert Rauschenberg, Ed Ruscha, Julian Schnabel, Dana Schutz, Joel Shapiro, Luc Tuymans, Jonas Wood and Christopher Wool have been honored over the past 21 years of TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art.