Down in Dallas, the 24th TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art Gala Raises $7.6 Million
“I see so many faces that have been here since the very beginning, and that happened over 20 years ago,” said Cindy Rachofsky, standing on the stage at the 24th TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art Gala fundraiser, presented by Saks. “It s really extraordinary, and what I wish is that this crazy world that we live in right now understood love, compassion, and support as the group in this tent does.”
Rachofsky, who wore a white Carolina Herrera column dress with artful drapes, held court on the stage of the fundraiser gala dinner, exhibiting that signature Southern hospitality but on a grander scale—everything is bigger in Texas, yes, but in Dallas, it’s super-sized. Each year, she and her husband Howard welcome guests to their gleaming Richard Meier-designed home for an art-filled fundraising celebration that benefits two organizations: amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, and the Dallas Museum of Art. The clever double cause was conceived in an attempt to lure as many attendees as possible.
As for the format of the event, there’s a silent auction that takes place in the Rachofsky’s home. The multi-floor property, which upholds minimalist philosophies with its sparsely-filled, all-white walls, already resembles a museum, so it’s the perfect setting to exhibit the 122 works of art that are donated to the event.
Outside on the lawn, an over 8-foot tall urn by Mexican artist Eduardo Sarabia towered—its Chinoiserie-esque blue and white pattern featured unexpected hemp leaves. Was the work a permanent structure of the property or there for a night? “Everything’s for sale!” Howard clarified—“We’re raising money; everything everything is for sale!”
Other renowned artists who have donated works included Grace Carney, Tom Anholt, Anish Kapoor, Tavares Strachan, Calida Rawles, Maja Ruznic, Alicia Adamerovich, Madeline Peckenpaugh, and María Berrío. The latter was the evening’s honoree, who was in attendance and dressed in a gold Simone Rocha look.
At 6:30 PM, the dazzling guest list descended on the party—this is one event where the jewels are real, and the dresses are most definitely not borrowed samples. In attendance was a series of designers and their fashionable patrons. Prabal Gurung, who was fresh in from NYC, dressed Alexandra Looney and Rochelle Gores. Colombian designer Silvia Tcherassi was present—a dress of her design worn by Catalina Gonzalez Jorba. And designer on-the-rise Bach Mai attended with Kaleta Blaffer Johnson, who wore his moiré gown in peony pink. More guests included CEO of Saks Marc Metrick, alongside his wife Deborah Metrick, Cameron Silver, Bertha González Nieves, Ken Fulk, Thomas Keller, Porschla and Jason Kidd, Jessica and Dirk Nowitzki, Melissa Ireland, TWO x TWO executive director, and Scott Rothkopf.
After a cocktail hour—when guests were encouraged to meander through the house and place bids on the art—the glamorous gala-goers were ushered into a curvaceous tent on the lawn of the property designed by Todd Fiscus of Todd Events. This setting paid tribute to María Berrío, who hails from the Colombian rainforests—a display inspired by her work s lush flora and fauna took center stage.
After a caviar-filled dinner generously provided by the Rachofsky’s friend Thomas Keller, it was time for a performance. In a black ribbed tank top and sparkling chains, Jason Derulo appeared onstage to rev up the audience before the live auction, where enthusiasm, generosity, and spiritedness are required (prices start in the tens of thousands). As Derulo announced his name in his signature singsongy delivery, the audience cheered on, dancing by their tables and singing along to his ebullient hits like "Savage Love," and "Ridin Solo."
After sufficiently readying his guests to dig deep into their pockets, it was time for the main event—Contemporary Art London’s Michael Macaulay served as the auctioneer and raised over a million dollars during his 8-lot auction. Before her work sold for an incredible $380 thousand, artist María Berrío accepted her award and spoke to the room. “Oftentimes, an artist just sits alone in the room with a blank canvas and her thoughts and feelings. Eventually, after staring at the flat white surface, she decides to make a mark—and from that mark comes a line, and from that line comes the feeling that there is the possibility of the world,” said Berrío. She continued, explaining that even though it’s a solitary creative process, no artist exists on an island. For art to be art, there needs to be an audience—those able to behold the work with appreciation. “There have to be others who believe in that delusional person sitting alone,” she said before expressing sincere gratitude toward all those who believed in her throughout her career.
After all the works had sold, an after-party, presented by Loewe, unfolded in the backyard garden. An elegantly tented and moody lounge space was framed around a dancefloor, where a Casa Dragones bar served ice-cold espresso martinis that helped fuel partygoers late into the night. To tally up the total monies raised, a whopping $7.6 million—a Texas-sized figure indeed.
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KEVIN TACHMAN1/22Maria Berrio
KEVIN TACHMAN2/22
