Matthew Wong

TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art

Saturday, October 28, 2017

The Rachofsky House, Dallas, Texas

twoxtwo.org

Matthew Wong, Old Town, 2017, Oil on canvas, 243,8 x 182,9 cm / 96 x 72 in

Courtesy the artist, Karma, and galerie frank elbaz

TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art is an annual contemporary art auction held in the Richard Meier-designed Rachofsky House in Dallas, benefiting two organizations—the Dallas Museum of Art and amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

Thanks to the phenomenal support of the dealer and artist community, corporate sponsors, and Dallas patrons, TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art’s annual benefit gala dinner and art auction has raised over $67 million in its 18-year history in support of amfAR’s AIDS research initiatives and the DMA’s contemporary art acquisition program. The 2016 event raised over $7.5 million.

TWO x TWO is such a successful event because it provides an opportunity to support two very worthy organizations. amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, has made great strides in essential AIDS research initiatives over the last 25 years, and TWO x TWO has become amfAR’s largest fundraiser in the United States. The Dallas Museum of Art has added over 250 major works of contemporary art to their permanent collection with TWO x TWO proceeds donated to their Contemporary Art Acquisition Fund and exhibitions. TWO x TWO is also the DMA’s largest annual fundraiser.

Drawing prominent artists, art collectors and philanthropists from around the world, TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art has evolved into a week full of social events aimed at recognizing the progress of amfAR and engaging the arts community in Dallas. An eagerly anticipated event that quickly sells out, the benefit features a seated dinner for 450 guests with both a live and silent auction of major works of contemporary art and unique luxury items. The following day, amfAR presents its Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS at an intimate luncheon at The Warehouse.

The Saturday night gala and auction, conducted by Sotheby’s, has included VIP celebrity guests such as Harry Belafonte, Alan Cumming, John Benjamin Hickey, Cheyenne Jackson, Taylor Dayne, CeeLo Green, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Shirley MacLaine, Barry Manilow, Liza Minnelli, Natasha Richardson, Gavin Rossdale, Sharon Stone, Dita Von Teese, Robin Thicke, Stanley Tucci and Sigourney Weaver.  Renowned artists Cecily Brown, Peter Doig, Tom Friedman, April Gornik, Mark Grotjahn, Wade Guyton, Jim Hodges, Ellsworth Kelly, Laura Owens, Elizabeth Peyton, Richard Phillips, Robert Rauschenberg, Ed Ruscha, Julian Schnabel, Joel Shapiro, Luc Tuymans, and Christopher Wool have been honored.  The 2017 gala will honor artist Jonas Wood.

In combining the art, entertainment and philanthropy worlds, TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art is a unique event.