$11 Million Raised at 22nd TWO X TWO For AIDS and Art 2021

Over $104 Million Raised for amfAR and Dallas Museum of Art Over 22 Years

Artist Yoshitomo Nara Receives the 2021 amfAR Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS

Presenting Sponsor: Nancy C. Rogers

Entertainer: Rita Ora

DALLAS, TX (October 25, 2021) – On Saturday evening, October 23, 2021, the 22nd annual TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art benefit dinner and contemporary art auction raised $11 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 at their home, The Rachofsky House, along with Lisa and John Runyon, hosted 490 guests.

“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,” said Howard Rachofsky, who along with his wife, Cindy, founded the event.

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 over $93 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.

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 space inspired by Yoshitomo Nara’s works, with organic shapes and colors dominating the design. A prominent leaf motif ran throughout, along with palettes of chartreuse, burgundy, orange, and ivory – both inside and outside of the tent.

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. Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and Lisa and John Runyon thanked all sponsors, donors and attendees of the 22nd annual event.

Howard Rachofsky – on behalf of Dr. Anna Katherine Brodbeck, the Hoffman Family Senior Curator of Contemporary Art at the Dallas Museum of Art – introduced guests to Yoshitomo Nara. amfAR Co-Chairs of the Board, T. Ryan Greenawalt and Kevin McClatchy, presented Yoshitomo Nara with amfAR’s 2021 Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS.

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.” There were 130 works of art offered in the live and silent auctions this year as well as a number of luxury and experiential packages. The live auction was conducted 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.

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.

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; 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.

The festivities leading up to the 2021 TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art Gala included First Look presented by Highland Park Village, a preview party and fundraiser held on Thursday, October 21. The evening, designed by TODD Events, included games with luxury prizes from a select list of Highland Park Village retailers: Akris, Alexander McQueen, Audemars Piguet, Ceron Highland Park, Dior, ETRO, Hadleigh’s, Lela Rose, MARKET, Rolex, The Conservatory on TWO, Tom Ford, and Valentino.

Guests enjoyed culinary creations by Bird Bakery, Bistro 31, Fachini, The Honor Bar, and YO! Lobster, as well as sips provided by Belvedere, Ben E. Keith, and Tequila Casa Dragones. The evening culminated in a “drinks, dessert, and drawing” moment for a $10,000 Highland Park Village gift card at The Conservatory on Two.

###

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 $93 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 295 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.

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 one of the largest funders 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 300 scientists working at 99 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.

Established in 1903, the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is among the 10 largest art museums in the country. With a free general admission policy and community outreach efforts, the DMA 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 25,000 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. The DMA is an Open Access institution, allowing all works believed to be in the public domain to be freely available for downloading, sharing, repurposing, and remixing without restriction The DMA directs all proceeds from TWO x TWO to the TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art Fund.

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

MEDIA CONTACT: Kelle Knight, Droese Public Relations Kelle@droesepr.com 713.299.4906