A businessman on a cultural mission

When one man combines the icy cool of a businessman and the bubbling enthusiasm of a child, it is, perhaps, no surprise that he can achieve remarkable things. Ágnes Vinkovits meets Peter Wilhelm, a larger-than-life promoter of Hungarian arts.

Successful businessman Peter Wilhelm is the living embodiment of that mix of blessed traits, which culminated in his commitment to support Hungarian cultural life, in his own way.
Hungarian-born Wilhelm, who is now 65- years-old, lived in Sweden for 55 years, where he made a name as an engineer in high-tech industries and, more importantly, picked up a business moral that is not well known here. After returning to Budapest at the end of the ’90s, he wanted to try his management experience in a different field of life.
He realized that running an art business demands almost the same skills and creativity as working on technical developments, and so decided to take up cultural events.
“I still remember what a great kick it was for me to start dealing with art and culture. It gave me a big boost in my regular business,” says Wilhelm, who comes across in real life as one of those larger-than-life characters. But if art gave him a kick, it was his time to give something back. He piled up several ideas and named them Peter Wilhelm Art Project (PWAP), which aimed at promoting unknown talent on the one hand and connecting Hungarian and international cultural life on the other.
He seems particularly interested in female artists who, he explains, have been generally pushed to the periphery of society for centuries.
In addition, because of their family and social duties, women are left to put their talent on the shelves for decades.
“As a businessman, I just can’t stand seeing treasures like talented women going to waste. That is why PWAP pays special attention to female artists. If we can change this bad tendency in the field of culture, it may affect the whole society.
“His approach is to give an opportunity to talented but unknown artists – and not necessarily young – instead of supporting already celebrated names.
But the novelty of his sponsorship method is based not only on money, but more especially on know-how.
“There are many people financing arts and culture but there are only a few who give their own knowledge. And this is what I can give, since my experience in management is in short supply in Hungary.”
Wilhelm, of course, admits the importance of money, but he emphasizes that it usually runs out very quickly if it is not used efficiency. “You do not have to be a millionaire. It is not the money that counts, but your originality and determination.
”The keyword is teamwork. “I am like a big kid,” says Wilhelm smiling. “When I have a problem, I ‘shout and cry’ and ask for help.
“I don’t want to be richer or famous, I do it only because I don’t believe in one-man shows. And if someone genuinely asks for a hand, many talented people offer their energy and knowledge to help – even here in Hungary.”
The PWAP has operated the Manna Gallery since Nov 2007, and also hosts plays from the Jewish Theater in New York.
The foundation is also producing Gaudi, a new ballet show from the Győr Ballet Company about the great Catalan architect, which will premier at the opening of the sixth Hungarian Dance Festival on June 20 in Gyor.

Crazy for ballet

“I am crazy for ballet,” says Wilhelm, who is proud to be the producer of such an well-established Hungarian dance company.
Since the Győr Ballet had more shows abroad than in its homeland last year, Wilhelm’s international management skills should come in handy.
“To reach the Western level of business-supporting of art, Hungary has to build up a good headhunting system, and people have to realize that if they want something professional, they have to hire professionals.
“This country is rich in talented people, but still lacking in outstanding results.
“Although we are a member of the European Union, we are not part of Europe yet. We will never reach Vienna if everyone stops in Parndorf for a good day of shopping,” he points out.
“This is a very complex problem we have here. The one who can solve it, surely will be honored with a Nobel-prize.”
The very first exhibition at PWAP’S Manna Gallery displayed a collection of Sari Gerlóczy’s paintings, entitled My Social Field.
“Although the 76 year-old Sári works as a successful costume designer and is considered an exceptionally talented painter, she rarely had the opportunity to introduce her paintings to a wider public. I am very proud of helping her.”
The exhibitions by female artists continue at Manna Gallery all year long, introducing generic and thought-provoking themes such as motherhood in fine arts, new feminism in Europe or dialogue between men and women.
In the spirit of its credo, of building cultural bridges, PWAP has also invited two plays from the Jewish Theater of New York that deal with issues related to Jewry, which will be played in Hungary this fall.
One doesn’t need to think too hard to see the connection between the historical status of women and that of the Jewish people, and this artistic parallel should bring interesting questions and thoughts to the fore.
While The Beggar (originally titled Beggar of Borough Park) deals with themes such as the power of money and the conflict of different cultures and traditions, Diary of Adolf Eichmann treads on the delicate grounds of the Jewish people’s responsibility in the rise of the Nazism in the 1930s.
The venue and number of performances have not been decided yet, but it has been confirmed that the music for The Beggar will be composed by founder and leader of the well-known Budapest Klezmer Band, Ferenc Jávori “Fegya.”
While Wilhelm’s life is beautified by art, his idea of bridging cultures is new in that it comes from the perspective of a business man.
If the man’s passion for culture as well as his business acumen will make good house together at PWAP, who knows, maybe there is a chance for the professionalism that is lacking in the business of art.

www.budapestsun.com - Wednesday, March 26, 2008