Documenta 14 Opens in Athens: the World Art Exhibition And

documenta 14 opens in Athens:

The World Art Exhibition and Volkswagen AG are now partners for the fourth time

• Volkswagen Group joins documenta again as main sponsor • This sponsorship is part of the international cultural commitment • As of June the Volkswagen plant in Kassel will be involved with joint activities

Wolfsburg/Athens, April 6, 2017 - This Saturday, documenta 14 will open the first exhibition segment as part of the transnational concept. Again, Volkswagen Group is supporting one of the most important international art exhibitions, which this year will for the first time be staged in both Athens and Kassel. With the opening of documenta 14 in Kassel, Volkswagen’s facilities will also be closely tied in.

documenta is regarded highly by both visitors and professionals, enabling the exhibitions to generate strong and lasting impulses. Benita von Maltzahn, Head of Cultural and Social Engagement at Volkswagen Group Communication, notes: "A vibrant conversation with the arts and culture is an elementary force within society. We feel that new perspectives and ideas drive innovation and progress. Within the framework of our international cultural projects, we especially support partners such as documenta, because they are dedicated to making culture accessible to the general public."

Along with the support of the overall concept, a number of other joint activities are planned: apprentices from the Volkswagen plant in Kassel will help build the "Parthenon of Books", a work by the Argentinean artist Marta Minujín.

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Volkswagen Group will also be supplying the organization and team of documenta as well as a group of artists with its cars. In one activity, Volkswagen escort vehicles will accompany the long-term ride of the Scottish artist Ross Birrell, who for the inauguration of the documenta plans to cover the distance between Athens and Kassel with horses.

Annette Kulenkampff, General Manager of documenta und Museum Fridericianum gGmbH, emphasizes the value of this partnership: "documenta gGmbH welcomes the cultural commitment of the Volkswagen Group, which is supporting this important international exhibition of contemporary art for the fourth time. This institution requires reliable partners, who not only unequivocally respect its distinct features, but share the conviction that freedom of the arts is an existential premise for an open society and a working democracy."

The theme of E-Mobility creates a special connection with the Volkswagen location Kassel. Within Volkswagen, Kassel serves as a hub for electric drives. "We are delighted to present our competence in electric mobility in this context and to be able to develop a concept that offers an individual driving experience for the visitors", says plant manager Thorsten Jablonski.

Note: This text and related images are available at www.volkswagen-media-services.com

Volkswagen Group Communication Spokesperson Culture Rita Werneyer Phone: +49-5361-9-79864 E-Mail: [email protected] www.volkswagenag.com www.volkswagen-media-services.com