Inside Dallas’s Splashy Annual Art Fundraiser Two x Two

“Welcome to Year 21!” announced Cindy Rachofsky, resplendent in a billowing whipped cream satin gown from The Row. The annual Two x Two Gala—initiated in 1998 by Rachofsky and her husband Howard to raise funds for both amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art—is hosted under a vast geodesic dome and in the celebrated Richard Meier–designed Rachofsky House, 1996, and brings out Dallas’s most glittering art lovers, joined by an international roster of art-world luminaries.

This year the gala, cohosted by Lisa and John Runyon, honored the distinguished and ageless Alex Katz, 92, a key “progenitor of Pop Art,” as Dr. Anna Katherine Brodbeck, the Hoffman Family Senior Curator of Contemporary Art at the Dallas Museum of Art, noted in her opening remarks, and one who, with over 200 museum shows under his belt, “clearly does not rest on his laurels.” To celebrate the honor, Katz is currently the subject of one of those exhibitions at the Dallas Museum of Art itself (Focus on: Alex Katz through March 22, 2020), where visitors have the opportunity to see stellar works from local collections as well as the museum’s own holdings.

This year, following the devastation wrought by the tornadoes that touched down in local communities only days earlier, the committee decided unanimously to give a percentage of the funds raised to the Dallas relief effort. The evening began with a viewing of the generously donated artworks up for auction (153 in all), which included jewelry curated by Deedie Rose, who wore a stunning kinetic necklace by Stefano Marchetti, and which were all imaginatively displayed in the house itself (an extraordinary 1969 Jean Prouvé filling station, donated by Taschen with a library of books, was displayed on the drinks station terrace). The exciting offering included work by pan-generational artists from interesting neophytes to Carmen Herrera, born in Havana in 1915.

Thence to the geodesic dome, its entrance doors crowned with an arch of hydrangeas shaded from purple to white. Inside, event designer Todd Fiscus had taken his cue from Morocco to create an atmospheric decor with lucite lanterns, blue and white tile work, and luxurious carpets set against a backdrop of swirling images of ancient desert citadels and supercilious camels.

I sat with the evening’s presenting sponsor and my Dallas weekend’s wickedly pampering hostess, Nancy C. Rogers—“The great force of nature in our community,” as she was announced from the stage, who was corruscating in Dior and diamonds. We dined on caviar, truffled pasta, and branzino ignited with Moroccan spices: truly scrumptious.

Alex Katz was introduced by Dr. Brodbeck and Kevin R. Frost, chairman of the board of amfAR. Brodbeck presented the artist, whom he noted “needs no introduction,” with amfAR’s 2019 Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS

“I want to thank the people that gave me bad reviews,” said the dapper artist, pausing for effect. “They encouraged me to be tougher and better. And the American government—in 60 years, they didn’t take away my paints!”

Following the presentation, Aloe Blacc entertained with his mellifluous renderings of his hits “I Need a Dollar,” “The Man,” and the stirring “Wake Me Up,” at which point he encouraged the audience to “sing along but don’t sing it wrong!”

Sotheby’s engaging auctioneer Oliver Barker coaxed some magnificent bids from the generous patrons for artworks donated by artists and their galleries including Derek Fordjour, Sarah Crowner, Ross Bleckner, and Frank Bowling, and the distinguished local collector Marguerite Hoffman acquired Katz’s South Light 2, 2005.

During the auction for an L.A./London art trip, Blacc spontaneously hopped back on stage and offered to “take you to lunch and maybe share a few songs from the new album,” to make the package more alluring, as indeed it did.

As Howard Rachofsky closed the silent bidding back in the house, revelers hied to the Neiman Marcus–sponsored after-party in the house’s back courtyard, and I danced the night away to high style DJ Lucy Wrubel. At some point, Cindy Rachofsky swished onto the dance floor to discreetly share the news that the evening had raised a breath snatching $8 million, bringing the total raised over 21 years to $92 million. Bravi!