FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*Hi-res images of the Gala are in Dropbox link with photo credits

$8 MILLION RAISED AT 21st TWO X TWO FOR AIDS AND ART 2019

Over $92 Million Raised for amfAR and Dallas Museum of Art Over 21 Years

Artist Alex Katz Receives the 2019 amfAR Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS

Presenting Sponsor:  Nancy C. Rogers

Entertainer:  Aloe Blacc

DALLAS, TX (October 28, 2019) – On Saturday evening, October 26, the 21st annual TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art benefit dinner and contemporary art auction raised $8 million with funds benefiting amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, and the Dallas Museum of Art.

Five hundred people attended the sold-out black-tie event co-hosted by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky at their home, The Rachofsky House, along with Lisa and John Runyon.

“Embarking into our third decade of TWO x TWO, it is clear that the enthusiasm continues to swell around supporting these two organizations. Having started TWO x TWO week with the devastating impact from tornados in our neighborhood, it was unanimous among all leadership at TWO x TWO, the Dallas Museum of Art, and amfAR that a portion of the proceeds this year be given to support the relief efforts in our immediate community. After all, TWO x TWO was created to save lives and brighten them up with the beauty of art. We will stand strong in continuing our dedication to amfAR and our passion for the DMA. Because of the extraordinary generosity of the artists and galleries who participate, TWO x TWO continues to surpass our expectations. We thank everyone who was part of this 21st edition,” said Howard Rachofsky, who along with his wife, Cindy, founded the event. 

The annual black-tie gala, part of a week-long series of events, is the largest U.S. fundraiser for amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art. Since its inception, TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art has raised over $92 million in support of essential AIDS research at amfAR and for the Contemporary Art Acquisitions Fund at the Dallas Museum of Art. Presenting Sponsor for the Saturday evening gala was Nancy C. Rogers.

This year: The Gala evening was designed by Todd Fiscus of Todd Events, who transformed  the 7,000-square-foot geodesic dome tent, which soars 48 feet in the center, into a dramatic Moroccan-inspired fete.  Clouds of blue ombre hydrangea greeted guests, while Moroccan lanterns, candles and tiles filled the dome. Using the tent interiors and giant video board, the auction items were displayed throughout the night. 

The night began with a Ruinart champagne, 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.

Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and Lisa and John Runyon thanked all sponsors, donors and attendees of the 21st annual event.

Kevin Robert Frost, Chief Executive Officer at amfAR, presented Alex Katz with amfAR’s 2019 Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS. “Suffice it to say that this is one of my favorite TWO x TWO traditions, and our honoree this evening joins a pantheon of distinguished honorees who represent the crème de la crème of contemporary American art. I can’t think of a more deserving recipient of our honored artist award than Alex Katz,” said Mr. Frost.

Dr. Anna Katherine Brodbeck, the Hoffman Family Senior Curator of Contemporary Art at the Dallas Museum of Art, spoke about artist Alex Katz and his noted body of work.  She shared, “Alex Katz is an artist that one can say without hyperbole needs no introduction; and although my task is to do just that, it is made easier by the fact that honoring him requires little justification. Katz has been steadfastly creating portraits, often of loved ones and friends, and environmentally scaled landscapes for the past 60 years. However, he clearly does not rest on his laurels. As can be seen in SOUTH LIGHT 2, the painting that we are honored to feature here tonight, Katz’s recent work evinces the mastery of a long career while still surprising in its immediacy of expression, worlds away from the punchy stylization of pop art, the movement of which he is considered by many to be a progenitor.”

At the dinner’s conclusion, Aloe Blacc entertained the crowd with a trio of his hits, including “I Need a Dollar” and “The Man."

There were 153 works of art offered in the live and silent auctions this year as well as a number of luxury and experiential packages and an original 1969 Jean Prouvé filling station and a complete library of 426 Taschen rare books. 

The live auction was conducted by Oliver Barker, Chairman, Sotheby’s Europe, Senior International Specialist, Contemporary Art. The live auction featured 7 artworks including works by Sarah Crowner, Derek Fordjour, Barry X Ball, Frank Bowling, Ross Bleckner, and Andre Butzer, as well as “South Light 2” by 2019 amfAR honoree Alex Katz.

IN ATTENDANCE

VIPs and Sponsors

• Cindy and Howard Rachofsky - TWO x TWO Hosts and Founders
• Lisa and John Runyon – TWO x TWO Co-Hosts
• Melissa Ireland - TWO x TWO Director
• Aloe Blacc - Performer
• Dr. Agustín Arteaga – The Eugene McDermott Director, DMA
• Dr. Anna Katherine Brodbeck – The Hoffman Family Senior Curator of Contemporary Art, DMA
• Kevin Robert Frost – CEO, amfAR
• Oliver Barker - Auctioneer- Chairman, Sotheby’s Europe, Senior International Specialist, Contemporary Art

Notable Attendees and Donors

• Hamish Bowles (Vogue editor)
• Charlie Caulkins (Sotheby’s)
• Kristen Cole (President and Chief Creative Officer, Forty Five Ten) and Joe Cole
• Todd Fiscus (Event producer)
• Nish de Gruiter (Suitsupply)
• Elisa and Stephen Summers (Highland Park Village)
• Geoffroy van Raemdonck (Neiman Marcus) and Alvise Orsini
• Nasiba and Thomas Hartland-Mackie (Art patrons and philanthropists)
• Dirk and Jessica Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks)
• Charlotte Jones (Dallas Cowboys)
• John and Stephanie Roberts (Philanthropists)
• Nancy Rogers (Philanthropist)
• Deedie Rose (Philanthropist)
• Marie-Chantal of Greece and Prince Pavlos of Greece
• Dimitri of Yugoslavia
• Maurice Marciano (collector, LA) and daughter Olivia Marciano

An after party, presented by Neiman Marcus, rocked the back garden of The Rachofsky House till the early hours of Sunday morning.

Artists in attendance

• Alex Katz – 2019 honoree and amfAR award recipient – and wife Ada Katz
• Ross Bleckner (live auction)
• André Butzer (live auction)
• Derek Fordjour (live auction)
• Minjung Kim
• Eric N. Mack
• Arcmanoro Niles
• Brie Ruais
• Joan Semmel
• Claire Tabouret
• N. Dash
• Quinn Tivey (grandson of Elizabeth Taylor)

Dealers/Gallerists (alphabetical)

• Gavin Brown* ( gallery for Alex Katz – honoree)
• Nicelle Beauchene
• Josée Bienvenu
• Cristopher Canizares* (Live auction – Frieze package)
• Thomas Dane
• Chris D’Amelio*
• Stephen Friedman*
• Paul Hedge
• Josephine von Humboldt
• Casey Kaplan
• Tina Kim
• Fergus McCaffrey* 
• Jessica Silverman
• Rachel Uffner* 

Over the years, previous VIP celebrity guests at TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art events 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; Taylor Dayne, CeeLo Green, Armie Hammer, 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 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 20 years of TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art.

The week-long festivities leading up to the 2019 TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art Gala included First Look presented by Headington Companies and Forty Five Ten, a preview party and fundraiser held on Wednesday, October 23. The evening, designed by TODD Events, included games with luxury prizes from Forty Five Ten, the Joule Hotel and Headington Companies restaurants. Guests enjoyed culinary creations from the family of Headington restaurants: Queso Beso (Headington’s soon-to-be-opened Tex Mex restaurant), Americano, CBD Provisions, Commissary, Mirador, Sassetta, Wheelhouse and Joule Catering. Cocktails created by Midnight Rambler and special sips from Belvedere, Casa Dragones, and Miraval Rose were also served. The ever-popular DJ ROMI Q rocked the tunes. Also part of the evening was a participatory artwork by Brazilian artist Rivane Nuenschwander. The artwork, titled Bataille, involved guests choosing meaningful labels with various messages and applying those to a mural.

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About TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art is an annual black-tie gala and contemporary art auction held at The Rachofsky House in Dallas, Texas. Thanks to the phenomenal support of the participating artists, dealers, sponsors, and patrons, TWO x TWO has raised over $84 million in its 21- year history in support of amfAR's AIDS research initiatives and the Dallas Museum of Art's contemporary art acquisitions and exhibitions. 

TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art has evolved into a series of social events designed to highlight the efforts of amfAR and engage the arts community in Dallas. TWO x TWO has become the largest fundraiser in the United States for amfAR. TWO x TWO is also the largest single annual source of funds for contemporary art acquisitions at the DMA, enabling the addition of over 275 major works of contemporary art to its permanent collection and helping to fund remarkable contemporary exhibitions. It is the extraordinary generosity, passion, and dedication at the heart of this endeavor that ensure the continued success of TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art.   twoxtwo.org

Beneficiaries

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research,  is dedicated to ending the global AIDS epidemic through innovative research. Since its founding in 1985, amfAR has accelerated the pace of HIV/AIDS research and contributed to numerous breakthroughs that are extending and saving lives around the world. Today, amfAR is a leader in the search for a cure for HIV and is the largest funder of cure research among philanthropic organizations worldwide. In just the last five years, amfAR has awarded $50 million to support cure-focused research conducted by more than 270 scientist working at 93 institutions in 16 countries. Informed by thorough research and analysis, amfAR is also a highly respected advocate of rational and compassionate AIDS-related public policy.  amfar.org

Established in 1903, the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is among the 10 largest art museums in the country and is distinguished by its commitment to research, innovation, and public engagement. At the heart of the Museum and its programs is its global collection, which encompasses more than 24,000 works and spans 5,000 years of history, representing a full range of world cultures. Located in the nation’s largest arts district, the Museum acts as a catalyst for community creativity, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds with a diverse spectrum of programming, from exhibitions and lectures to concerts, literary events, and dramatic and dance presentations. Since the Museum’s return to free general admission in 2013, the DMA has welcomed more than 4 million visitors, including more than 800,000 in 2018. The DMA directs all proceeds from TWO x TWO to the TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art Fund.  DMA.org. 

All images courtesy of TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art; Photographer credit noted with each file.

MEDIA CONTACT:             
Suzanne Droese, Droese Public Relations
Suzanne@droesepr.com
214.536.5570