Kastner Kommunity: Space with large windows, facing the park
Art is on display in and outside of Kastner Kommunity, a modern attractive space in the 8th district that was originally conceived as a meeting point for creative people, but soon grew into being a community space, an art center, a hub of cultural events of all sorts. How did a 'spin-off' on ad agency become a center of attraction for artistic minds? Why did the shabby 8th district turn out to be the best location for it? What are the modern creators' concerns and hopes? We talked about it with the creative director Andrea Tóth and event manager Judit Járadi, two driving forces of Kastner Kommunity.
Q: I know that long before Kastner Kommunity opened at this location (II. János Pál pápa square), a place called Mézes Mackó had existed in the exact same building. What was that place? What was its story?
Andrea Tóth: The building appeared in the late 1960s, and it was a typical brutalist architecture of that time. It was designed as a residential building, but a part of it was purposely given to the Mézes Mackó bufe (Honey Bear buffet), a chain of buffets. The main spot of Mézes Mackó bufe was located on Kígyó street in the 5th district, in the neighborhood of Párisi udvar. It was an affordable catering chain where everybody could have a tea or coffee, or treat themselves with cakes and sandwiches. The food there was not necessarily posh, or mainstream, but it was that type of confectionery that people won't cook at home: ham rolls, Icelandic caviar, salads, roasts, sweet and savory pastry, poultry, fish and pork jelly. So, the architecture of this space, where we are now, was made specifically for the buffet. The upper-floor mezzanine was a seating area, while downstairs it was a counter and a bar. The little kitchen was on a minus level, and an elevator that delivered food from the downstairs, still exists.
As well, as exists the memory about Mézes Mackó bufe - when we tell someone that Kastner is located in a former Mézes Mackó bufe, most understand what we're talking about.
In the 1980-early 1990s it was another bistro here, called Pöttyös. Then it was a furniture store here, running up to the 2000s, after - a second-hand clothes store, and then this part of the building remained empty until we showed up.
Judit Járadi: Some crazy stuff happened at Mézes Mackó bufe. For example, once they borrowed a bear from the circus, probably - a real bear! - and brought it to the buffet to make a promotion of the place. It could never happen these days!
Q: What was the reason that you chose this specific spot?
A: Well, we wanted something that would be very open. I personally wanted to get a place that can be seen from the street, that is very accessible and has a lot of light. We intentionally didn't shoot for the busiest areas like the 5th, 6th or the 7th districts - we were looking for something less mainstream and rather an up-and-coming area.
Q: A few years ago this neighborhood looked very much different from what it looks now. What are the changes, the signs of an up-and-coming neighborhood that you see? What has changed, if anything, within these two years while you are here?
J: Changes happen quite quickly. Népszínház street itself, a unique street that is narrow but has a tram line, is changing a lot - little shops, cafes, services open and close. Népszínház utca was an important commercial street of the city a hundred years ago, and this heritage is still touchable in its historic atmosphere. János Pál pápa park, which is the second largest green park in the district, is constantly developing - from being a pretty unfriendly area it's gradually becoming a relaxing place to be. The district governors work on it, as well.
A: Some neighborhoods of Budapest get expensive, and the young crowd often can't afford renting there, living there. They move to the less-centered districts. They come here and add up nicely to the vibe of the neighborhood.
Q: Still, Népszínház street doesn't seem to be the most welcoming street...
A: Well, I can tell you what: once, when we hosted a corporate event, and colleagues were coming from all parts of the world, Judit and I were, indeed, a bit worried about this aspect. We didn't want our colleagues to be somehow disturbed by certain circumstances on Népszínház street. It turned out, it was absolutely groundless. Our colleagues genuinely appreciated the architecture, the line of the street, the light.
So, if we take Budapest as a global city, we should probably accept the fact that it has different parts, not only the front ones.
J: We had two valuable preconditions when we came here - the street itself, with its unique tram line and architecture, and the district's multicultural habitants. These two factors manage to keep the homey atmosphere, where people feel like at home and many of them know personally each other, especially if to compare to some other parts of the city.
A: The neighbourhood adds up to our concept that is to attract people who either work in creative sphere, or want to pursue their artistic dreams, or those that simply want to be in an open-minded, international environment and, perhaps, to meet like-minds. There are random guests and community members that come here either often, or once in a while. They come for personal or business meetings, for events and art shows. There are also passers-by and the locals who happen to be interested in what we do.
Q: Do they come in, mostly, for coffee and food, or for events that you produce?
A: Both. Though we are ranking among the best specialty coffee places in the city now, we do all sorts of cultural and social activities. Within the group Külkörút that we co-founded, we host cinema screenings in the park (Hungarian movies with English subtitles), DJ sessions in the park, all sorts of workshops – everything, basically, to attract Hungarian and international crowd.
Q: This is true – Kastner has hosted numerous events within two years! This is pretty impressive. Do you have your personal favorite events, or types of events?
J: I personally prefer the cross-genre events - say, when there is an art show, it's accompanied with the music concert, or a workshop. For instance, last autumn we had a jewelry exhibition. The designer Szilágyi Sapi incorporated jewelry pieces into art collages, and that's how they were exhibited on the walls. She designed the mens collection for the rock band Ivan&The Parazol, and the musicians showed up at the opening, and not only they showed up - they played a concert, wearing the jewelry! It was very impressive.
We hosted an art show of József Csató, a very promising, up-and-coming Hungarian painter.
Péter Bencze curates our “Everybody Needs Art” corner, and it constantly attracts attention of both – regular visitors and passers-by. Amazing Kata Soós let us showcase her art works about hospital life, a very important, yet disturbing topic.
A: In general, we try to make our programs surprising - in a way, that people come in and give us something like “Wow! This! Here! How?”. This kind of reaction we appreciate a lot. We don't want to be too expected, too mainstream. It's important to note here that Kastner is an international ad agency, being here in Hungary for twenty years. What it missed though, was a multi-functional space that would be not very chaotic, neither too empty. Something that is simultaneously cozy, inviting and transparent. That's what we were aiming for when we started Kastner Kommunity. And I have to say - we did it. There is no other place like this in Budapest: even though we showcase artists of Budapest and we are rooted in the very center of the city, the interior and the vibe of Kommunity can make you feel as if you are in Berlin, or in New York. I think, it's great.
Q: Could you describe a process of soliciting artists and working with artists a bit?
J: We're not a traditional gallery, we are a hybrid space, that may both give advantages and create conflicts. Someone might say: why go see the art show at the coffee bar? This is still, surprisingly enough, uncommon - to use spaces like ours for exhibiting art. However, I think it's an absolutely different experience when art is so close to your eyes, when it's somewhat integrated in your everyday routine.
It's important for us to make contemporary art not a privilege, but accessible and open to everyone. Even if an artist is not a beginner, but quite the opposite - some established, renowned author, presented in national collections. We showcase such authors, too! Great well-know authors became open for non-conventional exhibition spaces, and we are glad that we already managed to invite some of them to make a show here.
A: When Kastner Kommunity has just opened, Judit and I tried curating art shows ourselves. We looked around, we reached out to authors, we solicited them. Not everyone agreed at first! But, eventually, we were lucky enough to exhibit renowned artists and creators. We've gained credibility as an art space and now not only we solicit authors - they turn to us, too, they send us ideas and pitches. In every possible sense, it's a mission of community - to build connections with artists, between artists and buyers, between artists and viewers. We work with lots of creative people, and some of them have their day jobs. But they are artists at heart, and they need the platform to showcase their art work. We try our best to provide such an opportunity. For instance, Csaba Klement is an illustrator, animator and we exhibited his artwork and ceramics, too.. We're happy to show this other side of our community members - the artistic side. Since this year, we have an annual open call for pitching artistic ideas.
Q: You've been communicating a lot with the creative people of the city, artists of all sorts. What are the main themes that contemporary artists explore? What are they concerned about, or passionate about?
A: Social responsibility is one of the cross-cutting themes. Everyday life issues, environment, social sore points, economy even.
J: Nature and relationships with nature. Artists explore excessive digitalization of our lives and they need to go back to the roots, to re-connect with nature, to be more out there rather than spending hours in our phones. This is obvious that people crave communication, real human connections, analogue experiences and we provide a space as well as occasion for that. On Saturdays we host handicraft workshops, and people come from other parts of the city - and even from the outside of the city! - to create something with their hands. It's a good thing for freelancers who tend to spend most of their days alone and in front of the computer, and once a week, or once a month, they choose to spend a day with other people, in front of the large windows facing the park.
Q: If you described someone who represents the modern Budapest, who would it be? Is it even possible to draw a verbal portrait of a modern Budapester?
A: From what we see, this will be modern freelancers who work at a daytime job and explore their passion on the side. Whatever is the current vibe of certain politicians, that's not what we see, at all. We see open, educated, wide-minded people.
J: Multicultural, independent adults, Europeans in their mindset, socially responsible - people who travel, who see the world and who are the important, bright part of the modern world.
Interview published in the Narratives of Budapest book, published by Panel Literature Association in 2024.
“Narratives of Budapest” is a compilation of essays and interviews delving into both the contemporary and historical aspects of Budapest. The collection also focuses on the free-spirited and independent-minded individuals who call the city home. Each piece within the book provides a distinct perspective on different facets of Budapest life. By weaving together memories, narratives, and personal stories, the collection aims to capture the distinctive and enduring vibe that defines the city.
