Mr Wiechers, our motto for the anniversary season is “Celebrating culture!”. Do you even feel like celebrating in view of the current situation in the arts?
Yes, there is always reason to celebrate. Of course it is challenging and will become even more so. We don’t have to make a secret of that. But we must also recognise the cultural life that we find in Munich. An anniversary of an institution like the Gasteig is definitely a cause for celebration. I’m already looking forward to Ayzit Bostan’s installation in Hall E and the grand festival in June next year.
Is there a particular experience at the Gasteig that you remember with fondness?
What I particularly remember was the planning kick-off for the general refurbishment – that big moment when we spent a whole day with all the users, expert planners, architects and the Gasteig’s then construction department. A lot of work had already been done by then. There was an incredible sense of optimism and I had the feeling that things were about to get started. In the meantime, there have been a few delays. But the moment and the content that we have developed have remained – that helps me stay optimistic.
What significance does the Gasteig have for Munich?
It is incredibly important because the Gasteig is a cultural hub for everyone. In public perception and in discussions about the need for refurbishment, it is often reduced to the Philharmonic Hall. But it is so much more than that, in terms of both space and programme. The old Gasteig was a meeting place for millions of visitors, especially for the two major players, the Munich Public Library and the adult education centre. After the move to the HP8 site, everyone literally came together and carried the spirit with them. The Gasteig remains an important building block in Munich’s cultural landscape.
“Our mission is to also reach people with the arts who we would otherwise not reach.”
What responsibilities does this entail?
Our mission is to also reach people with the arts who we would otherwise not reach. The fact that Munich’s public libraries and the adult education centre are part and parcel of our cultural sector means that we have an obligation here. They must be low-threshold and accessible for everyone, in terms of both inclusiveness and educational equity. The institutions in the Gasteig are of enormous importance in this regard, especially in combination with each other. At the moment, the Gasteig HP8 is a training ground for us for what we want to practise even more intensely in the refurbished Gasteig in future. With the new “glazed bridge” at the Haidhausen location, we want to further boost the encounters between different audiences in future that we’re now seeing in Hall E.
What is your personal connection to culture?
Although I studied law, I have always been interested in culture. I come from a creative family: my mother is a graphic designer and my father an architect. At school in Lower Saxony, music was my main subject. I have played several instruments and played in ensembles. So I’ve had an interest in and understanding of the arts for a long time and have been working in this field for many years now. This is my seventh year in the Department of Arts and Culture. Before that I spent seven years being responsible for the cultural sector in the city hall under two mayors.
What is your biggest challenge as Head of Cultural Affairs?
Currently, it’s the financial situation. It means that we must remain confident, fight, discuss and be creative to satisfy the need to economise. And in the long term, we must evaluate productivity, synergies and relevance in the current situation. But we nevertheless remain committed to maintaining the status quo that we have now.
How do you envisage the Gasteig in ten years’ time?
I’m assuming, of course, that we will have returned to the completely refurbished Gasteig. I would like to point out that I believe the architectural design we have for the new Gasteig is outstanding. The Henn architects have eminently succeeded in moulding the wishes and needs regarding accessibility and low threshold into a good, contemporary form. I wish that what the architects have designed will be filled with life and the great place we already had will be even better in the future. As you can see, I’m a Gasteig fan. Happy Birthday!
The New Gasteig
Text: Anna Steinbauer
