If the interiors of the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston took on a surreal esthetic Friday night, it was no mistake. A zillion yards of Mylar and cellophane were employed as crunchy table and chair coverings, as clouds suspended overhead and in swaths of floating floor-to-ceiling panels.

The decor was the over-the-top creative nod to the evening's theme — "Seeing Things."

What the 250 gala guests saw, in addition to the slick decor, was a generous offering of artworks in both the silent and live auctions that saw bidding soar and soar. As CAMH director Bill Arning said just prior to the live auction, "This is the blood sport of the night."

Indeed, part of the fun of the CAMH gala, beyond its artful, more casual approach to black-tie fundraising, is the spirited bidding in one of the city's few live auctions that is truly entertaining. With works by mixed media sculptor Jon Kessler (beginning bid $15,000 on a piece valued at more than $22,000) and William Wegman (starting bid $3,800 on a pigmented print valued at a minimum of $5,000) and the like, the fun was guaranteed.

"Did I tell you that everything you buy here tonight, you can flip at Christie's for a large profit," quipped Christie's auctioneer Steven Zick.

It was a heady time for gala chairs Poppi Massey and Karen and Harry Susman as well as for CAMH board chair Eddie Allen and board president Sissy Kempner.

The colorful mix of artists, gallery owners, collectors and contemporary art fans included Lois and George Stark, Courtney and Jason Fertitta, Greggory and Pat Burk, Cabrina and Steven Owsley, Dr. Penelope and Lester Marks, Judy Nyquist, Sara Dodd Spickelmier and Keith Spickelmier, Liz and Tom Glanville, Judith Oudt, Doreen and Frank Herzog, Leigh and Reggie Smith and Brittany and Max Tribble.

Rebekah Johnson, escorted by Tim Moloney, took bows for the striking decor that still had guests talking on Monday. As did the dinner by Jackson & Company and irresistible dance music by Skyrocket.