When does a painting stop being a private object and start becoming a public work? In this film, artist Keltie Ferris prepares for her show "KF + CM 4EVER" (2010) by crating a new series of paintings in her Bushwick studio, shipping the work across town in a van, and installing the exhibition at Horton Gallery in Chelsea—all in the same day. The artist and a team of art handlers shadowbox a "tacky" painting and roll a second painting that's too large to fit through the studio door. As the paintings are moved, Ferris's studio transforms from a vibrant space filled with energetic abstract paintings—all titled with symbols, such as the works "((!!!!!))" (2010) and "!@#$%^&*()" (2010)—to an empty room absent of color. The process is reversed at the gallery as the works are uncrated and where dealer Sean Horton personally hangs each painting, consults with the artist on placement, and talks with prospective collectors.

Keltie Ferris (b. 1977, Louisville, Kentucky, USA) lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

CREDITS | "New York Close Up" Created & Produced by: Wesley Miller & Nick Ravich. Editor: Mary Ann Toman. Cinematography: Andrew David Watson. Sound: Nick Ravich. Associate Producer: Ian Forster. Production Assistant: Paulina V. Ahlstrom, Don Edler & Maren Miller. Design: Open. Artwork: Keltie Ferris. Thanks: Forrest Comay, Joel & Zoe Dictrow, James Giddings, Sean Horton, Horton Gallery, Chad Jones, Maxine Presto & Renwick Fine Arts. An Art21 Workshop Production. © Art21, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved.

"New York Close Up" is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Additional support provided by The 1896 Studios & Stages.

For more info: art21.org/newyorkcloseup