In the vibrant art scene of New York City between 1964 and 1980, a tale of mystery, creativity, and self-discovery unfolds. "Flame" introduces Qwerty Blanc, an enigmatic artist who emerges as a rising star in the shadow of giants like Robert Rauschenberg. Not formally educated in art but driven by a raw, intuitive passion, Qwerty's journey from obscurity to prominence is as fiery and unpredictable as his creations. Born under mysterious circumstances and raised by the compassionate Alice Smith, Qwerty's life is a canvas of dual identities - the abandoned child and the acclaimed artist. As he navigates the eclectic and eccentric personalities of New York's art world, he grapples with existential questions about art, fame, loyalty, and his own identity. From the cool, tangible light of Andy Warhol's Factory to intimate encounters with fellow artists and those who market their art, his journey is also an adventure in the secretive world of the modern marketplace. Qwerty's story is a vivid portrayal of a transformative era in art history. His fascination with fire, symbolizing both destruction and rebirth, mirrors his own quest for meaning amidst the complexity of life and art."Flame" is not just a narrative about an artist's rise; it is a journey through the heart of human creativity and the struggle to find a place in the ever-shifting landscape of life and art.

FOOD was an artist-run restaurant in SoHo, Manhattan, New York. FOOD was founded by artists Carol Goodden, Tina Girouard and Gordon Matta-Clark. FOOD was considered one of the first important restaurants in SoHo. Other individuals who were involved w
Fanelli Cafe is a historic New York City restaurant and bar considered the city's second-oldest food-and-drink establishment in the same locale, having operated under various owners at 94 Prince Street since 1847. It served as a gathering place for a
Long before it became a commercial chain, the New York Pearl Paint store served professional artists and the trades for decades at its Canal Street location in lower Manhattan. It was instrumental in identifying this neighborhood as an artist destina
Robert Rauschenberg "Pantomime", 1961
James Ballard "untitled", 1971
Franz Kline "Tower" 1953
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“Robert looked at him, smiled, and said, “I’ll never forget being at an opening with Franz Kline when that painting was first shown. A group of people were standing around gazing at it and said something to the effect that any child could have painted that. Franz walked over to them and said, Yes, but that child wouldn’t know when to stop.” - Page 21

“Qwerty stood inside the Green Gallery on a June Sunday morning, facing the pristine white space in the back room, contemplating his installation. The image of the clouds of steam and smoke in the store window kitchen began to take epic proportions in his mind. That process is familiar to most artists. An artist can’t complete a piece in the studio until the idea is unbearably epic. The process reverses itself after the piece is completed.” - Page 55

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