TOTAL ANNOUNCED FOR 2017 TWO X TWO FOR AIDS and ART OVER $7.3 MILLION RAISED
Over $75 Million Raised for amfAR and Dallas Museum of Art
in 19 Year History of the Event
Artist Jonas Wood Receives the 2017 amfAR Award of Excellence for
Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS
Jonas Wood Piece Sells for $1.2 Million
Presenting Sponsors: Harry Winston and Cadillac
Entertainer: Ryan Tedder and Master of Ceremonies: Armie Hammer
DALLAS, TX (October 29, 2017) – On Saturday, October 28, the 19th annual TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art benefit dinner and contemporary art auction raised over $7.3 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, chaired by noted philanthropists, art patrons and longtime TWO x TWO supporters, Nasiba and Thomas Hartland-Mackie and hosted annually by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky at their Richard Meier-designed home, The Rachofsky House.
“The success of TWO x TWO is due to the extreme generosity of our artists, gallerists and supporters from across the United States and around the world. Their commitment is unmatched and their donations of museum-quality art has allowed us to raise over $7.3 million, bringing our 19-year total to over $75 million TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art continues to play a key fundraising role for both amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art,” said Howard Rachofsky.
The 2017 TWO x TWO fundraising total was announced Sunday morning by Gala chairmen Nasiba and Thomas Hartland-Mackie at a private brunch hosted by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and sponsored by Highland Park Village. The brunch event was held at The Warehouse, a private art storage facility, owned by the Rachofskys, which includes an extensive library and 18,000 square feet of exhibition space.
Gavin Delahunty, Hoffman Family Senior Curator of Contemporary Art of the Dallas Museum of Art, spoke about artist Jonas Wood and his noted body of work.
“Jonas Wood paintings depict scenes from everyday life with each one bursting with color and pictorial detail. He translates the world around him with astonishing technical innovations. Jonas is so deserving of this special recognition today,” said Mr. Delahunty.
Kevin Robert Frost, Chief Executive Officer, amfAR, presented Jonas Wood with amfAR’s 2017 Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS.
The weekend of activities was designed by Mr. Fiscus of TODD Events, who carried out a forest theme within the Freedome, a 7,000-square-foot geodesic dome which stood at 48 feet tall in the center and seated the 500 gala guests.
The night included a Dom Pérignon and Belvedere cocktail reception and an art and luxury item silent auction, followed by a seated, multi-course dinner. The evening began with remarks and thank yous to the sponsors and artists by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky, Nasiba and Thomas Hartland-Mackie, Dr. Agustín Arteaga, Eugene McDermott Director of the Dallas Museum of Art, and Kevin Robert Frost, CEO of amfAR.
Serving as the master of ceremonies for the Gala was acclaimed actor Armie Hammer who thanked the sponsors and introduced featured entertainer Ryan Tedder.
There were 150 works of art offered in the live and silent auctions this year as well as seven luxury packages. The live auction, presented by the Ron and Maryellen Spears Foundation, was conducted by Oliver Barker, Chairman, Sotheby’s Europe, Senior International Specialist, Contemporary Art. The live auction featured “Pink Plant Patio Landscape Pot” by 2017 amfAR honoree Jonas Wood, which sold for $1.2 million.
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 $75 million in support of essential AIDS research at amfAR and for the Contemporary Art Acquisitions Fund at the Dallas Museum of Art.
Presenting Sponsors for the Saturday evening gala were Harry Winston, Inc. and Cadillac.
VIPs and Sponsors in attendance:
- Cindy and Howard Rachofsky – TWO x TWO Hosts
- Ryan Tedder (wife Genevieve) – Singer-songwriter/featured performer at 2017 Gala
- Armie Hammer – Actor and master of ceremonies at 2017 Gala
- Elizabeth Chambers Hammer - Wife of Armie Hammer, owner of Bird Bakery
- Nasiba and Thomas Hartland-Mackie – Gala Chairmen
- Melissa Ireland – TWO x TWO Director
- Dr. Agustín Arteaga – The Eugene McDermott Director, DMA
- Gavin Delahunty – The Hoffman Senior Curator of Contemporary Art, DMA
- Kevin Robert Frost – CEO, amfAR
- Federica Boido – Presenting Sponsor – Harry Winston
- Michael Patrick and Andrew Lipman – Presenting Sponsor – Cadillac
- Peggy Lanigan – Dom Pérignon
- Oliver Barker – auctioneer- Chairman, Sotheby’s Europe, Senior International Specialist, Contemporary Art
Notable Attendees and Donors
- Marguerite Steed Hoffman and Tom Lentz
- Nancy Nasher and David Haemisegger
- Deedie Rose
- Lisa and John Runyon
- Jennifer and John Eagle
- Catherine and Will Rose
- Nancy C. Rogers
Artists
- Jonas Wood (Honoree) and wife, Shio Kusaka (artist)
- Shara Hughes
- Jean-Michel Othoniel
- Daniel Arsham
- Hugh Scott-Douglas
- Alex Olson
- Nathan Carter
- Celia Rogge
- Quinn Tivey (Elizabeth Taylor’s grandson/amfAR supporter)
Dealers/Gallerists
- David Kordansky (represents Jonas Wood)
- Anton Kern (represents Jonas Wood)
- Sam Orlofsky (Gagosian Gallery/represents Jonas Wood)
- Almine Picasso (Almine Rech Gallery)
- Matt Bangser (Blum & Poe)
- Stephen Friedman
- Casey Kaplan
- Hannah Hoffman
- Monika Sprueth
- Philomene Magers
- Cristopher Canizares
- Chris D’Amelio
- John Berggruen
- Niamh Coghlan
- Darragh Hogan
- Brendan Dugan
- Tina Kim
- Koei Shiraishi and Nobuo Tachibana
- David Lewis
- Harry Scrymgeour
- Kara Van Der Weg
- Hyung-teh Do
- Andrew Kreps
- Peggy Leboeuf
- Fergus McCaffrey
- Oliver Miro
- Cedric Morriset
- Esther Schipper
- Boris Vervoordt
- Rachel Uffner
- Eric Ruschman
Fashion-Lifestyle-Culture
- Rosie and Max Assoulin (fashion designer)
- Nish de Gruiter (Suitsupply)
- Nasiba and Thomas Hartland-Mackie (co-owner The Tot and 2017 Gala Chairmen)
- Thomas Keller and Laura Cunningham (restaurateur; French Laundry, Per Se)
- Natalie and Simon Fuller (entertainment mogul)
- Eric Buterbaugh (florist and perfumer)
- Claire Distenfield Olshan (fashion boutique owner Fivestory)
- Mary Katrantzou (fashion designer)
- Emilia Wickstead (fashion designer)
- Elizabeth Chambers Hammer (wife of Armie Hammer, owner of Bird Bakery)
- Taylor Tomasi Hill (street style star and creative director at 4510)
- Moll Anderson (NYT bestselling author)
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, 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, Joel Shapiro, Luc Tuymans, Jonas Wood and Christopher Wool have been honored over the past 19 years of TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art.
The week-long festivities leading up to the 2017 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 Thursday, October 26. The evening, designed by TODD Events, featured a Games & Prizes Committee of Rosie Assoulin, Ronald Robertson, Adam Shulman, Greg Chait, and Eric Buterbaugh. The ever-popular music curator DJ Lucy Wrubel rocked the tunes, while guests enjoyed culinary creations from the family of Headington restaurants: Americano, CBD Provisions, Mirador, Sassetta and Wheelhouse with cocktails by Midnight Rambler and sips from Belvedere and Casa Dragones.
About TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art
Since its inception 19 years ago, TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art has raised over $75 million in support of amfAR’s essential AIDS research initiatives and the Dallas Museum of Art’s Contemporary Art Acquisitions Fund. To date, over 250 exceptional works of art have been acquired by the Dallas Museum of Art with proceeds from TWO x TWO exclusively from dealers and artists who have supported TWO x TWO in the past. This reinvestment strategy creates a synergistic partnership designed to benefit all associated with the event. TWO x TWO has become amfAR’s largest fundraiser in the United States and is also the DMA’s largest fundraiser. All donated artwork is installed in the Richard Meier-designed Rachofsky House and is on view during the month prior to the auction for a series of events and range of collecting audiences among the 1,500+ visitors. All sponsors and donated lots are featured in superb hard copy catalogues, which feature the artist and gallery websites, and which are sent to collectors around the globe for absentee bidding. twoxtwo.org
Beneficiaries
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, founded in 1985, is dedicated to ending the global AIDS epidemic through innovative research. With the freedom and flexibility to respond quickly to emerging areas of scientific promise, amfAR plays a catalytic role in accelerating the pace of HIV/AIDS research and achieving real breakthroughs. Intensifying its research efforts, in 2014 amfAR launched the “Countdown to a Cure for AIDS,” a bold initiative aimed at developing the scientific basis of a cure by 2020 and supported by a $100 million research investment strategy. The cornerstone of the strategy is the amfAR Institute for HIV Cure Research, established on World AIDS Day 2015 and based at the University of California, San Francisco. Since 1985, amfAR has invested more than $480 million in its programs and has awarded more than 3,300 grants to research teams worldwide. TWO x TWO is amfAR’s largest fundraiser in the United States. 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 3.2 million visitors. For more information, visit DMA.org.
The Dallas Museum of Art is supported, in part, by the generosity of DMA Members and donors, the citizens of Dallas through the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, and the Texas Commission on the Arts.