An army of animal sculptures have emerged from the studio of the artist Gábor Miklós Szőke. Crossing continents and oceans, this is where they start their journey around the world from the former Manfréd Weiss Steel and Metal Works. Many know him as the creator of the FTC Eagle, but beyond his gigantic steel sculptures, his universe encompasses creatures made from reused materials, tar and found objects, which are an organic part of the empire ruled by the Doberman, Dante. From the upper floor of the spacious 100-year-old brick building, Dante’s guard dogs gaze down upon strangers wandering in from afar. The employees working here are familiar with the ruler’s language, they consider the empire their home and the main venue of their social life. In the studio of Gábor Miklós Szőke and Berta Hauer (the artist’s business and life partner), hundreds of people participate in the construction of the monumental artworks. The work process is supervised and coordinated from the command center on the upper floor. Through a massive vault door we enter a welded and riveted steel box resembling a submarine and a military bunker at the same time, where under the crystal chandeliers of the command office/conference room, the plans of new projects lie spread out on the oak-wood table standing on sturdy dog-legs. Employees are provided for with a shooting range and film screenings for team building purposes. An indispensable appliance of the latter is the pop corn machine located in the office kitchen. The realization of the stainless steel sculptures takes place in hall one, which functions as a studio and a showroom as well. Furthermore, select pieces of Gábor Miklós Szőke’s vintage car collection are on display here, which change seasonally along with the sculptures. In the other 1000 square meter wood warehouse and workshop, the wooden sculptures are made. In the back of the hall, a mint condition bridge crane rests on its 50-meter track.
