7X7 auction back at DAI

Last year's 7X7X7 "That Space Needs a Little Something" auction was a big hit, drawing 250 people and work by 165 artists.

This year, it's moving to the Depot's Great Hall, expanding the bidding options and debuting alongside a new Duluth Art Institute exhibition called "The Seven Deadly Sins." Get it? Seven?

"We wanted to build on that success that we had last year and do it again, but do it a little differently," said Samantha Gibb Roff, the institute's executive director.

The gimmick for the event Saturday, May 8, is the same -- the auction will focus on tiny pieces of artwork that are no bigger than 7 inches in any dimension.

Changing the venue to the Depot will both draw positive attention to the longtime home of the art institute and allow the auction to take place alongside the new exhibition.

In addition to the play off of the number seven, Gibb Roff said the show gives added interest, "a sinful new twist" that can pique interest in artists and in audiences. She notes that the theme is one that has inspired artists since the Middle Ages.

That theme was, in fact, inspired by the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra's season-long theme for its masterworks series. Gibb Roff said originally there had been talk of a collaboration, but the art institute's season was full. However, due to a postponed show, things changed, and there was an opening.

Jeff Kalstrom, the exhibitions coordinator at the art institute, said about 20 artists are taking part in the "Deadly Sins" exhibition. Some have taken on all seven of the sins, some just one.

Some have taken a humorous slant, others have been deadly serious.

"Some people are getting really specific with their symbolism," he added.

He called it a "juicy theme." "It's something you can really play with," he said.

Unlike the auction, the exhibition will run until July 4.

There's even a little interplay between the two events. One of the small auction pieces, a work by Kris Nelson, takes on a religious morality theme, fashioning a chair with the Ten Commandments -- reworded for art -- on them. For instance, "thou shalt not kill" has been altered to read: "Thou shalt not kiln until the clay is dry."

The chair has a picture of Moses holding a palette. It also includes a paper copy of the real commandments.

The additional "artistic packages" up for bid at the auction create another opportunity. They include things like a "Bermuda Garden Tea for 8" (shouldn't it be seven?) event and "Yoga in the Gallery," as well as the chance to become a part of a piece of art yourself.

Gibb Roff said the music and food at the auction will also be spectacular. Of particular interest is the music by Sam Miltich and the Clearwater Hot Club, which she describes as "gypsy jazz."

Food will be provided by Chester Creek Cafe, and the event will be again divided into silent and live auctions. Pre-event bidding is also expected to take place in the silent auction starting with the "Deadly Sins" opening Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Cost for the auction event is $25, and sponsors include Arrowhead Printing, Charter Communications, the Budgeteer News, News 6, the Ripsaw and Westermorelandflint. Doors open at 6 p.m.