The 25th annual TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art benefit dinner and contemporary art auction presented by Saks raised more than $10 million with funds benefiting amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, and the Dallas Museum of Art.
The sold-out black-tie event co-hosted by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and Lisa and John Runyon was held at The Rachofsky House in Dallas. The event hosted 500 guests, and Alan Cumming, the multitalented Emmy, Tony, BAFTA, and Olivier Award-winning star, served as the Master of Ceremonies.
The annual black-tie gala 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 more than $130 million in support of essential AIDS research at amfAR and for the Contemporary Art Acquisitions Fund at the Dallas Museum of Art.
“As we mark the 25th and final year of TWO x TWO, we are deeply honored to have hosted this momentous event and humbled by its quarter-century legacy supporting two important causes: The Dallas Museum of Art and amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS research," said Howard Rachofsky, who founded the event with his wife Cindy. “This milestone year is a testament to the extraordinary generosity of our artists, dealers, and supporters who have made TWO x TWO a cherished asset in our community for a quarter of a century. As we close this chapter we reflect on the unique opportunity TWO x TWO has provided to celebrate visual arts while funding crucial research. This 25th-anniversary celebration serves as both a culmination and a fitting farewell to an event that has left a permanent mark on our community.”
The Presenting Sponsor for the gala was Saks.
Guests mingled during cocktail hour with the focal point being the 30-foot-tall dress constructed of red roses, set on the podium outside the signature tent. Designed by Fiscus in collaboration with Jeff Leatham, this dress pays homage to the AIDS awareness ribbon, with DJ Lucy Wrubel at the peak of the dress spinning her set for a memorable start to the final TWO x TWO.
Platinum Sponsor Cadillac had the stunning all new electric Escalade IQ on view.
Upon entry, guests were greeted with trays of Cindy Rachofsky’s favorite “Cindy’s Margarita,” featuring Casa Dragones Blanco tequila, leading them to the Tequila Casa Dragones bar. Guests also sipped on La Grande Dame champagne and Belvedere cocktails in the red lounge area, as well as drinks by The Macklowe. Exceptional wines served were 00 Chardonnay and The Mascot Cabernet Sauvignon.
Todd Fiscus, of Todd Events, transformed the 7,000-square-foot geodesic dome tent, which soared 48 feet in the center, into a stunning silver and white space to commemorate the silver anniversary, 25 years. The tent gave the illusion that guests had stepped inside the mirror ball, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for the closeout of TWO x TWO. The exterior of the house featured a video mapping projection by The Georges and Stage2Lighting that highlighted catalogs for the past 25 years.
Alan Cumming, Master of Ceremonies started the night with a wildly entertaining monologue song dedicated to the 25 years of TWO x TWO, and the key people and sponsors involved. Guests enjoyed a beautiful multi-course dinner by Chef Juan Garrido of Art2Catering, including the TWO x TWO tradition of caviar innovative Americana fare. Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and Lisa and John Runyon thanked all sponsors, donors, and attendees of the 25th annual event.
Melissa Ireland, Executive Director of TWO x TWO thanked Cindy and Howard and announced two surprises for them in honor of their 25-year unparalleled support. “The Dallas Museum of Art has established a new position, the Rachofsky Contemporary Art Fellow. By its design, The Rachofsky Contemporary Art Fellowship will carry forward the spirit and impact that Cindy and Howard have cultivated through their heroic efforts. This Fellowship will ensure that the legacy of TWO x TWO remains viable in supporting Contemporary Art programming and initiatives at the Museum well into the future. The Fellowship is funded by lead gifts totaling over $ 1.3 million and will now open to community participation for all who wish to participate by investing in the future of the DMA.”
Likewise, amfAR had a tribute announced by Melissa Ireland. “Tonight, we are thrilled to announce that the amfAR award given at their numerous global events will henceforth be renamed amfAR’s Cindy and Howard Rachofsky Award for Artistic Excellence. The award will reaffirm amfAR’s enduring partnership with the art community and symbolize the abiding gratitude, admiration, and deep affection that we all have for the Rachofskys.”
Dr. Anna Katherine Brodbeck, the Hoffman Family Senior Curator of Contemporary Art at the Dallas Museum of Art introduced guests to Nicolas Party. amfAR Co-Chairs of the Board, T. Ryan Greenawalt and Kevin McClatchy, presented Nicolas Party with amfAR’s Cindy and Howard Rachofsky Award for Artistic Excellence.
At the end of the dinner, 10-time Grammy Award winner and Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Chaka Khan entertained the crowd with a variety of her top hits, including I’m Every Woman, Ain’t Nobody, I Feel For You, Through the Fire and Tell Me Something Good, thanks to Entertainment Sponsor Nancy C. Rogers and the celebrity travel sponsor, Headington Companies.
There were 92 works of art offered in auction as well as a curated group of unique luxury experiences. The live auction was conducted by Michael Macaulay, Head of Contemporary Art, Sotheby’s Europe. The live auction featured works by artists Nicolas Party, Shaqúelle Whyte, Vojtěch Kovařík, Howardena Pindell, Jonas Wood, Emmi Whitehorse, Celeste Rapone, Dana Schutz, Kylie Manning and Ding Shilun.
Following the live auction, Cindy and Howard took a final bow with the TWO x TWO leadership, Lisa and John Runyon, Melissa Ireland, Megan Gratch, Michael Macaulay, and Todd Fiscus.
The after party, presented by Capital One, continued the evening’s festivities in a bronze cathedral glass tent constructed on the side lawn of The Rachofsky House. The elevated, moody lounge space featured floating clouds alongside rich shades of navy and mirrored surfaces. Guests were greeted by Gen Heat, New York-based band covering Prince songs—a homage to 1999, TWO x TWO's inaugural year, while a team of dancers performed. The tent featured four bars, all serving an array of drinks including the Pecan Butter Old Fashioned from the Capital One DFW Lounge. Partygoers also enjoyed Regiis Ova caviar served in a Tuk Tuk, late-night bites from Pizzana, and gelato from Gelato La Boca as well as the infamous Brandy Alexanders.
VIP's and sponsors in attendance included Cindy Rachofsky, Howard Rachofsky, Lisa Runyon, John Runyon, Chaka Khan, Marc Metrick, Melissa Ireland, Megan Gratch, Agustín Arteaga, T. Ryan Greenawalt, Kevin McClatchy, Anna Katherine Brodbeck, Michael Macaulay, Gene Jones, Jerry Jones, Nancy C. Rogers, Ross Moody, Kevin Robert Frost, and Tim Headington.
Notable attendees and donors who joined the evening included Nicolas Party, Todd Fiscus, Jeff Leatham, Cameron Silver, Bertha González Nieves, Mishele Wells, Cornelia Guest, Thomas Keller, Porschla Kidd, Jason Kidd, Jessica Nowitzki, Dirk Nowitzki, Scott Rothkopf, Adam Lippes, Laura Kim, and Fernando Garcia.
Over the years, previous performers and 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, Nile Rodgers and CHIC, Jason Derulo, Rita Ora, 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, DianeVon Furstenberg, Dita Von Teese, Sigourney Weaver, and Zoe Saldana.
Renowned artists María Berrío, Rashid Johnson, Yoshitomto Nara, 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 24 years of TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art.
Image credit: Snap the Picture, Kevin Tachman
