Special Thanks for TWO x TWO 2009

TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art is a remarkable illustration of the extraordinary measures that can be achieved when the vision, determination, passion and incredible generosity of so many people converge. Having raised over $25 million for amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art in its first eleven years, we are truly inspired and moved by the unrelenting support and devotion of the Dallas community and our friends in the contemporary art world whose continued efforts and support have created one of the most beloved and significant fundraising endeavors of our time. It is with deep respect and gratitude that we acknowledge the following for their incredible contributions to the 2009 event as TWO x TWO entered its second decade.

We graciously thank Jan Showers and Elizabeth Showers, 2009 TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art co-chairs, and the first mother-daughter co-chair team, whose leadership brought both style and creative energy to launch TWO x TWO into its second decade. Jan and Jim and their daughter Elizabeth have been ardent supporters of this event since its inception, and we offer our kindest thanks for their generous contributions and genuine enthusiasm.

DMA Trustee Cindy Rachofsky and her husband Howard deserve special recognition for opening their magnificent Richard Meier-designed house for the eleventh time to host this event. It is their remarkable vision and unrelenting support for the Dallas Museum of Art, their dedication to amfAR and the fight against AIDS,  and their extraordinary generosity that have made TWO x TWO such a beloved event for everyone involved. In celebration of their steadfast devotion to TWO x TWO, amfAR was privileged to honor them at the 2009 amfAR New York Gala. We are all forever grateful for their heartfelt commitment and leadership.

We extend sincere appreciation to Sotheby’s, the TWO x TWO 2009 Platinum Sponsor, and to Eve Reid, Sotheby’s Associate, Dallas, and Warren P. Weitman, Jr., Chairman, Sotheby’s, America, for their continued support of this event. Sotheby’s longtime partnership with TWO x TWO has been instrumental in the success of the event, especially with their vision in creating an education-oriented atmosphere through their annual sponsorship of the Tuesday Preview for Dallas Museum of Art members. We also thank Sotheby’s for again underwriting the auction catalogue in 2009.

As part of TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art 2009, distinguished artist Peter Doig received the amfAR Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS in recognition of his continuous support of AIDS awareness. The presentation of this annual award took place during a brunch on October 25th, 2009, hosted by Christen and Derek Wilson to whom we offer sincere appreciation. We extend special thanks to Flexjet for generously sponsoring the brunch, and to Gordon Veneklasen, Michael Werner Gallery, New York, and also Gavin Brown, Gavin Brown’s Enterprise, New York, for their support of Peter Doig, and for their continued support of this event.

We graciously acknowledge Jamie Niven, Chairman, Sotheby’s, North and South America, for donating his talented services as beloved auctioneer for the live auction again this year. We also are grateful to John Runyon and Allan Schwartzman for their participation as the 2009 Art Chairs, and for their incredible support of this event throughout the last decade. We extend kindest appreciation to Aston Martin of Dallas for sponsoring the 2009 Live Auction and to Jennifer and John Eagle for their continued leadership, commitment and enthusiasm for TWO x TWO.

We offer deep and heartfelt thanks to Melissa Meeks, TWO x TWO Coordinator, for her tireless dedication and devotion in planning the remarkable eleventh year of TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art.

We greatly appreciate the incredible generosity of the each of our TWO x TWO 2009 sponsors. Thanks to American Airlines, for its continued commitment to the fight against AIDS and to the arts in Dallas, as well as its continued support of each of TWO x TWO’s beneficiaries amfAR and the DMA. Special thanks to Tolleson Wealth Management, Gold Sponsor, for sponsoring the seated dinner at the Saturday gala. We extend sincere thanks to Moët Hennessy USA, Gold Sponsor, for generously providing the luxury Champagne and cocktails for the week of TWO x TWO events and for their longtime partnership with TWO x TWO.

We are deeply grateful to Todd Fiscus, and todd.eventdesign.creativeservices, for lending his outstanding creativity to designing the décor for this event year after year, and to Randi McBroom for her assistance. We also acknowledge Kristina Wrenn for twentyandseven for her invaluable expertise and generosity in designing and producing all of the printed materials for TWO x TWO 2009.

We recognize Waldman Bros./Chubb, Gold Sponsor, for their generous and continued participation as the 2009 Art Sponsor. Sincere thanks also go to Dr. Craig Schwimmer and The Snoring Center, Silver Sponsor, for sponsoring the Silent Auction this year. We also thank Artemis Fine Arts and Unified Fine Arts Services, Silver Sponsors, for their generous contributions in facilitating the TWO x TWO art installation at The Rachofsky House.

The 2009 luxury auction featured a collection of extraordinary items, travel packages and experiences, and was sponsored by Neiman Marcus, Silver Sponsor, who we graciously recognize for their longtime partnership with TWO x TWO.  We would like to thank the following donors for their incredibly generous contributions, imaginative ideas and resourcefulness: Molly and Gregg Engles; Equinox Fitness Clubs; Houston’s / Café R+D; Gene and Jerry Jones Family; Nobu Dallas; Paul Renwick Design, New York; Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, American Airlines and Strong Travel Services; Eve Reid, Warren Weitman, Pearl Lam and Contrasts Gallery, Shanghai; Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek; Elizabeth Showers; Raphael Micha, Mireya Escalante, The Coppel Collection and Jamie and Spook Stream.

We offer sincere appreciation to The Joule, A Luxury Collection Hotel, and Tim Headington, Gold Sponsors, for sponsoring Thursday’s sensational FIRST LOOK preview party, MusicXFashion. Warmest thanks to Lucy and Steve Wrubel and Jenny and John Kirtland for co-chairing the party and for their energetic creativity and devotion to TWO x TWO. Thank you to Charlie Palmer and his team for the extraordinary food at FIRST LOOK and to Brian Bolke, Forty Five Ten, Megan Reinhardt, Gavin Rossdale, Christian Siriano, Warren Soner and Kirtland Records for their generous participation in the production of FIRST LOOK.

Sincere thanks to Kenny Goss who again opened the Goss-Michael Foundation for the annual reception honoring the achievements of amfAR.  We would like to recognize his leadership and dedication to TWO x TWO and amfAR, and we are deeply grateful for the collaboration and support of everyone at the Goss-Michael Foundation.

It is with kindest gratitude that we recognize the many art dealers who were crucial in securing the works in the 2009 auction: 303 Gallery, New York; 511 Gallery, New York; Alexander and Bonin, New York; Andrea Rosen Gallery, New York; Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York; Ann Connelly Fine Art, Baton Rouge; Anthony Meier Fine Arts, San Francisco; Anton Kern Gallery, New York; The Approach, London; Barry Whistler Gallery, Dallas; Betty Cuningham Gallery, New York; Bortolami Gallery, New York; Casey Kaplan, New York; The Chambered Nautilus Gallery, Dallas/ Fort Worth; Cheim & Read, New York; Collage 20th Century Classics, Dallas; CRG Gallery, New York; Danese, New York; David Kordansky Gallery, Los Angeles; DCKT Contemporary, New York; Deitch Projects, New York; Derek Eller Gallery, New York; Dunn and Brown Contemporary, Dallas; Edward Tyler Nahem Fine Art, New York; Edwynn Houk Gallery, New York; Eleven Rivington, New York; Marion and Nash Flores; Foxy Production, New York; Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco; Friedrich Petzel Gallery, New York; Frith Street Gallery, London; Gagosian Gallery, New York; Galeria Luisa Strina, São Paulo; Galerie Eva Presenhuber AG, Zürich; Gavin Brown’s Enterprise, New York; Gladstone Gallery, New York; Greenberg van Doren Gallery, New York; Harris Lieberman Gallery, New York; Jane Helslander; Holly Johnson Gallery, Dallas; Honor Fraser, Los Angeles; Tony Horton; Inman Gallery, Houston; Jan Showers & Associates, Dallas; John Berggruen Gallery, San Francisco; John Connelly Presents, New York; Josée Bienvenu Gallery, New York; Kathryn Brennan Gallery, Los Angeles; L & M Arts, New York; Lehmann Maupin Gallery, New York; Lisa Cooley Fine Art, New York; Liz O’Brien, Inc., New York; Lora Reynolds Gallery, Austin; Luhring Augustine, New York; Marc Selwyn Fine Art, Los Angeles; Marian Goodman Gallery, New York; Marianne Boesky Gallery, New York; Marty Walker Gallery, Dallas; Mary Ryan Gallery, New York; Massimo Audiello, New York; Matthew Marks Gallery, New York; Maureen Paley, London; Michael Werner Gallery, New York; Museum 52, New York/London; Nicole Klagsbrun Gallery, New York; R 20th Century Gallery, New York; PaceWildenstein, New York; Rachel Uffner Gallery, New York; The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, New York; Sterling Ruby; Runyon Fine Arts, Inc., Dallas; Tom Sachs; Sadie Coles HQ, London; Sally Rosen 20th Century Collections, Dallas; Scott & Cooner, Dallas; Sean Kelly Gallery, New York; Sikkema Jenkins & Co., New York; Simon Preston Gallery, New York; Sperone Westwater, New York; Stephen Friedman Gallery, London; Stuart Shave/ Modern Art, London; Sutherland and Perennials, Dallas; Philip Taaffe; Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York; Team Gallery, Inc., New York; Victoria Miro Gallery, London; William Campbell Contemporary Art, Fort Worth; Zach Feuer Gallery, New York; Zeno X Gallery, Antwerp.

amfAR’s staff has provided hands-on leadership and vision for the successful realization of this event in Dallas. Special thanks to Gregory Lawrence Boroff, CAE, CFRE, Vice President, Development; Franklin Fry, Director, Special Events; David Yu, Manager, Special Events; Cassandra Dawes, Manager, Special Events; Niki Thomas, Coordinator, Special Events; Ron Wittman, Manager, Business Partnerships; Andrew McInnes, Director, Publications; and Bennah Serfaty, Senior Director, Communications.

Without the dedication and hard work of Jeanne Lil Chvosta, Thomas Feulmer, Jodie Oliver, Anna Pates, and Abel Hernandez of The Rachofsky House, production of this event would not have been possible. We also thank the many volunteers who have facilitated the production of this event. It is with fondest memories and gratitude that we acknowledge and remember Bryan West, whose talents and efforts at The Rachofsky House were an integral part of TWO x TWO throughout the last decade, and who we miss dearly.

The staff of the DMA has been invaluable, helping to organize the event and mobilizing the art community. We wish to recognize in particular Charles Wylie, the Lupe Murchison Curator of Contemporary Art, for his outstanding effort and leadership. We would also like to thank Jessica Heimberg, Senior Web Developer, for her incredible talent and creative support in designing www.2×2online.org.

We sincerely thank the staff of Livet Reichard Company, Inc., for its diligence in securing the art for the auction. We recognize Anne Livet, President, for her long standing enthusiasm and resourcefulness, and Elizabeth Lind, Project Director, for her invaluable assistance with the 2009 auction. We also thank Liz Gilchrist for her assistance in coordinating the TWO x TWO Photography Portfolio.

The Buzzell Company has been instrumental in managing the local press campaign. Our sincere thanks go to Barbara Buzzell, President, for her continued support. We also acknowledge PaperCity, media sponsor, for their generous support and coverage of the TWO x TWO events.

We also acknowledge the following companies who have generously made TWO x TWO a beneficiary of their own philanthropic events and efforts: Tod’s Northpark; the NorthPark Merchant’s Association; craft dallas and Pink Memo’s Fashion Dish Series; and Versace / PaperCity Magazine.

We would like to graciously thank and recognize our in-kind sponsors whose contributions are an integral part of TWO x TWO: Aston Martin of Dallas, Charlie Palmer, CONDESAdf; DFW Towncar, Displays Unlimited, Inc., Empire Baking Co., Equinox Fitness Clubs, Frédéric Fekkai Dallas, Gavin Brown’s Enterprise, George Catering, Hewlett-Packard Company, Hilton Park Cities, Laura’s Event Services, Michael Werner Gallery, NOKA, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Strong Travel Services, Suite 206, Switch Lighting and Tara Jones Calligraphy. Without the support of the Dallas community, this event would not be the spectacular success it is today.

Other vendors critical to the event’s success include Skyframe, New York, and 24FPS, Dallas, for framing; Mike Sandone Productions for donating a portion of the tent; and Ducky-Bob’s Event Specialists for donating a portion of the tent rentals. Special thanks to Display’s Unlimited, Inc., for their generous donations in art shipping, installation and art handling at The Rachofsky House for TWO x TWO.

It goes without saying that a project involving an auction of this magnitude is only possible because of the support and generosity of the artists, whose extraordinary contributions this year, and throughout the last decade, have brought unprecedented success to endeavors such as ours. Their commitment to the fight against AIDS and to the development of the DMA’s Contemporary Art Program, demonstrates the generosity of the human spirit and the power it can have to make significant and positive changes in our lives. We are profoundly grateful for their exceptional generosity, which is the foundation for the success of TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art.

Kevin Robert Frost
Chief Executive Officer
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research

Bonnie Pitman
The Eugene McDermott Director
Dallas Museum of Art