Sheet Metal Art from Budapest: Laser Cuts the Finest Shapes
Where Art Meets Precision Engineering
In southern Budapest, a small family-run business named Intertechnika is quietly making waves in the art world. Specializing in welding, laser cutting, and bending, the company creates custom designs for artists across Hungary. By uniting designers, machine operators, and artists under one roof, Intertechnika produces unique, internationally recognized artworks—while also sharpening its industrial expertise.
Laser Cutting as an Art Form
Take, for example, Techno Zen, a multisensory installation by Hungarian artist Márton Nemes. Set to the meditative sounds of double bass, gongs, and Tibetan singing bowls, the piece features forest silhouettes and abstract metal shapes cut with remarkable precision. Thousands of LEDs bring the forms to life in sync with the music. Hosted at the 2024 Venice Biennale, the world’s largest exhibition of contemporary art, Techno Zen was two years in the making—and many of its metal components were crafted by Intertechnika using advanced laser cutting technology from a global industry leader.
A Family Business with Vision
Peter and Márton Alasztics, the second generation of the founding family, now lead Intertechnika. Their parents, Jullianna Alaszticsné Kovács and Béla Alasztics, founded the company in 1991. A major turning point came in the early 2000s, when Intertechnika began using high-performance laser systems from a leading technology provider. Their first machine—a combination punch-laser system—opened the door to new capabilities in complex design work.
“We process around 28,000 drawings a year,” says Peter Alasztics. “From transformer parts to Siemens housings, we handle a wide variety of industrial components—but we also make room for the extraordinary.”
Learning Through Art
Artistic commissions like Techno Zen serve more than aesthetic purposes. They offer Intertechnika opportunities to explore new techniques, test the limits of their machinery, and develop unconventional solutions. These lessons feed back into the company’s contract manufacturing business, enhancing both quality and flexibility.
“Every unique piece we produce teaches us something,” says Peter. “It’s an investment in creativity and craftsmanship.”
A Legacy Reimagined
Located in Budapest’s historic Csepel district—a former center of heavy industry—Intertechnika’s headquarters occupy a repurposed factory once used to manufacture motorcycles and cars. Today, it stands as a symbol of reinvention. Intertechnika blends the precision of metal fabrication with the imagination of contemporary art.
A Bridge Between Artists and Engineers
By embracing artistic projects, Intertechnika has become a space where creativity and manufacturing converge. “We help artists and engineers speak the same language,” says Peter Alasztics. And in doing so, they’re crafting more than metal—they’re shaping stories that resonate on a global stage.
