Szablyár Péter: Step by step - Our Budapest (Budapest, 2010)
Stairways to nothingness
■ The Bridge of the Ártó outiide FUGA a sort of gesamtkunstwerk centre meant to interconnect the various arts around the hub of architecture. According to the credo of the Budapest Architects' Chamber, which launched the project, the association should undertake the task of bridging the gap between architecture and society at large, by hosting roundtable talks, discussion forums, and workshops. Music, too, is to play a part in the project with the Jazz Club (which is meant to be taken as an allusion to one aspect of local traditions here) and the series of classical music events; finally, a film club was also promised. The construction can be mounted by way of steep steps on either side. Stern warning signs state that a maximum of ten persons can walk on the structure at any one time, and a pictogram alerts prospective bridge-users of the dangers inherent in high heels, too. If you happen to be passing the footbridge, it is worth climbing its stairs because the sight — and also the feel, on account of the swaying structure — will be truly memorable. Stairways to nothingness Have you ever found yourselves starting up on a set of stairs and then turning back half way up when you realised that the stairway led nowhere? Our first example to illustrate this could be two sets of fine-looking but never in fact used stairs that once 8o
