Art News
Fabulous Dallas Two x Two art auction and gala smashes fundraising record
A record was shattered at the 20th annual Two x Two for AIDS and Art benefit dinner and contemporary art auction on October 27. The black-tie event chaired by philanthropist and downtown Dallas king Tim Headington drew a sold-out crowd of 500 people and raised a record $9.3 million, with funds benefiting amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, and the Dallas Museum of Art.
Cindy and Howard Rachofsky, who founded the event and hosted it at their home, The Rachofsky House, thanked their friends and collectors from Dallas and beyond.
"Two x Two is extremely grateful to our friends far and near who have been part of this monumental and cherished 20-year history," said Howard Rachofsky in a release. "The generosity and commitment of our artists, gallerists and supporters to this event is unparalleled in today’s fundraising communities. Our donating artists and galleries around the world, our corporate sponsors, our volunteers, our dear friends and collectors from Dallas and across the nation, have together raised $84 million for amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art."
The night's lineup included a cocktail reception, silent auction, and seated dinner. Actor and longtime supporter Alan Cumming sang a medley of cabaret songs, recognized the sponsors, and introduced featured performer Diana Ross, who sang her biggest hits.
There were 158 works of art offered in the live and silent auctions, including Beat Out the Sun by 2018 amfAR honoree Dana Schutz, as well as luxury packages such as a trip to the Oscars and tickets to the Vanity Fair party, as well as a Napa wine country trip hosted by restaurateur and chef Thomas Keller and Casa Dragones co-founder Bertha González Nieves.
Bold-faced names in attendance included Thomas Keller, Melissa Ireland, Adam Lippes, Armie Hammer, Elizabeth Chambers Hammer, Whitney Wolfe Herd, Dr. Agustín Arteaga and Katherine Brodbeck of the DMA, amfAR chairman of the board William Roedy, Michael Patrick and Andrew Lipman (Cadillac), Peggy Lanigan (Dom Pérignon), Oliver Barker of Sotheby's Europe, Hamish Bowles, Charlie Caulkins, Kristen Cole, Joe Cole, Nish de Gruiter, Rickie de Sole, Todd Fiscus, Ceron, Nasiba and Thomas Hartland-Mackie, Marina Moscone, Dirk and Jessica Nowitzki, Nellie Partow, John and Stephanie Roberts, Nancy Rogers, Deedie Rose, and Two x Two 2019 art chairman John Runyon and Lisa Runyon.
Attendees from the art world included artists and gallerists such as Nathan Carter, Jessica Craig-Martin, Anna Conway, Shinpei Kusanagi, Sally Ross, Dana Schutz, Ryan Johnson, Augusto Arbizo, Nicelle Beauchane, John Berggruen, Josie Bienvenue, Tim Blum, Cristopher Canizares, Chris D’Amelio, Stephen Friedman, Daniela Gareh, Trina Gordon, Paul Hedge, Steve Henry, Hannah Hoffman, Casey Kaplan, Fergus McCaffrey, Friedrich Petzel, Jessica Silverman, and Rachel Uffner.