As partygoers strolled up to the front of Cindy and Howard Rachofsky’s Richard Meier-designed environs on October 26, it was clear that this year’s Two x Two First Look would have a down-home Texan vibe. A giant cutout of Howard clad in cowboy gear greeted revelers, solidifying the theme of “Dress Up Your Denim.”
“We wanted something really American, and what could be more American than blue jeans?” said the party’s planner, Todd Fiscus, who extended the true blue style into the décor.
Taking the concept to heart, guests wore everything from "Hee-Haw" style overalls to a floor-sweeping denim skirt, although The Tot owner and event co-chairman Nasiba Hartland-Mackie kept it glam in a sparkling Mary Katranzou gown. Perhaps the best interpretation was DJ Lucy Wrubel’s chambray jumpsuit, which paid homage to the recently departed rocker Tom Petty.
After sampling a culinary “greatest hits” provided by co-sponsor Headington Company’s restaurants — including Americano pizza, Mirador lobster rolls, CBD Provisions sliders, Wheelhouse poke bowls, and Commissary pop tarts — guests moved on to the evening’s entertainment.
A series of celebratory party games curated by co-sponsor Forty Five Ten filled the backyard with Midway-style thrills. The chic boutique gave some classic amusements a designer twist. Guests could spin an oversized wheel of fortune to “win” a cocktail of Belvedere vodka, Casa Dragones tequila, or Moët & Chandon champagne. Revelers also redeemed tickets to “go fish” for cashmere socks, sunk balls into oversized Beer Pong cups for Midnight Rambler gift cards, and tried to take home a Prada bag by launching balls into doughnut floats in the Rachofsky pool.
Fun and games aside, the main event is, as always, about the art. Having raised over $67 million to date for amFAR and the Dallas Museum of Art, Two x Two’s curators take what’s on the walls very seriously.
Says Patron magazine media sponsor Terri Provencal of the annual event, “It takes a real commitment to curate a seamless hang for collectors seeking interesting art at every price range while keeping the beneficiaries at the core. Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and Director Melissa Meeks achieve this with utter finesse year after year.”
If the mix was more eclectic than in years past, well, that was intentional. The auction’s program featured a selection of “Own it Now” hidden gems and under-the-radar picks from Howard Rachofsky, DMA senior curator Gavin Delahunty, art dealer John Runyon, and event gala co-chairman Thomas Hartland-Mackie. Items such as Matthew Wong’s post-impressionist landscape Old Town, Jonas Wood’s (this year’s honoree) vibrant Pink Plant Patio Landscape Pot, and Minerva Cueva’s landscape series Cliff, Seagull and Sea Rocks were garnering fast and furious bids. One lucky collector already snagged Nathan Carter’s scrappy Fascinator for the Winsome Swans of Turtle Creek.
When asked about the selection, Howard Rachofsky explained, “It’s not one single work of art, it’s more the idea of art. I think there are works that are looking backward and works that are looking forward. What’s going on now is this wave theory — we all know we’re supposed to buy Warhol, and we’re supposed to look at Agnes Martin, but this is about everybody beginning to be comfortable forming their own identity (as collectors).”
And to take it home, you absolutely should love it, he said. “It’s about what do you want to wake up to in the morning? I want to wake up and look at something and smile. If the price point is reasonable, then it’s perfectly okay to just enjoy.”
More celebrants and collectors on site include Rosie Assoulin, Ceron, Suzanne Droese, Joyce and Kenny Goss, Tim Headington, Taylor Tomasi-Hill, Jennifer Klos, Nancy Rogers, Deborah and John Scott, Christen and Derek Wilson, Emilia Wickstead, Barry Whistler, Megan and Brady Wood, Cris Worley, and Nancy Whitenack.
Lauren Millet, Kaleta Blaffer, Jennifer Klos
Ice skaters showed off their moves in the "Central Park" rink.Photo by Ashley Gongora
The Kilgore Rangerettes channeled the Radio City Rockettes.Photo by Ashley Gongora
Dessert included a cake that looked like a blue Tiffany box.Photo by Michael Merry