Documenta 2017 Financial Investigation Dropped, Kulenkampff Cleared

The Kassel state prosecutor's office has terminated its probe into alleged fund misuse during Documenta 2017. Annette Kulenkampff, the exhibition's managing director, faced scrutiny over financial management but was cleared of embezzlement. She had consistently alerted shareholders about impending deficits before departing last November through mutual agreement. Documenta 2017, staged in both Athens and Kassel, incurred a €5.4 million budget overrun primarily due to Athens expenditures. This shortfall necessitated emergency loan guarantees from shareholders, including the city of Kassel and the state of Hesse. Right-wing Kassel city council members initially filed the legal complaint. Kulenkampff stated the resolution paves the way for Documenta's successful future, emphasizing her commitment to protecting the institution. Sabine Schormann is set to assume the managing director role on November 10. Documenta aims to appoint an artistic director for its 2022 edition by early 2019.