The 22nd annual TWO x TWO gala took place on Saturday in Dallas, inviting guests for a lively evening raising funds for the benefit of the Dallas Museum of Art and amfAR (Foundation for AIDS Research). This year honoring the artist Yoshitomo Nara, co-hosts Cindy and Howard Rachofsky welcomed guests to their home for the black-tie dinner and art sale, which raised a total of $11M for the respective organizations.
“Welcome back, and this year welcome back really means something,” said co-host and event founder Howard Rachofsky. “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.”
Adam Lippes, Nancy Rogers, Hassan Pierre, Kathleen Hutchinson, and Karla McKinley at the 2021 TWO x TWO gala, photo by Bruno, Snap the Picture.
Outdoors at The Rachofsky House, a 7,000 square-feet geodesic dome tent greeted guests to a design concept by Todd Fiscus of TODD Events, whose use of organic shapes and bright hues looked to the artwork of the evening’s honoree, Nara. Sponsored by Nancy C. Rogers, the night kicked off with a cocktail hour featuring sips from Tequila Casa Dragones, Moët Hennessy USA, and Belvedere, along with a silent auction. After a chance to browse the sale’s art and luxury offerings, guests like Moll Anderson, Adam Lippes, Dirk Nowitzki, and Hassan Pierre were seated among the dome’s elegant floral-and-candle tablescapes for a multicourse meal.
Nearing the end of the meal, the hosts took the stage, announcing Yoshitomo Nara as the recipient of amfAR’s 2021 Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS. After congratulating Nara, Rita Ora was invited to the stage, concluding the seated meal with a performance of her most beloved songs. Finally, the live auction commenced at the hand of Sotheby’s Senior Vice President and Senior International Specialist of Contemporary Art, Michael Macaulay, encompassing a total of 130 artworks—including those by Nara and names like Asuka Anastacia Ogawa, Peter Bradley, Joel Mesler, Jiro Takamatsu, María Berrío, and Bosco Sodi, who was also in attendance.
Rita Ora at the 2021 TWO x TWO gala, photo by Kevin Tachman.
When the benefit came to a close, guests were invited to the back garden for an afterparty hosted with the help of Neiman Marcus. Surrounding the theme “Big Love,” based on the idea that “everything is bigger in Texas,” a hot pink and red color scheme brought love-centric details like a screen projecting a loop of movie kisses and a heart-adorned dance floor, where guests partied until the early hours of Sunday morning.
The 2021 TWO x TWO gala, photo by Bruno, Snap the Picture.
Yoshitomo Nara at the 2021 TWO x TWO gala, photo by Kevin Tachman.
The 2021 TWO x TWO gala, photo by Bruno, Snap the Picture.
