They're turning him down for the press preview. Accreditation
refers to press accreditation. They're not issuing him press credentials. That's all. He's not a journalist. It has nothing to do with whether he's an artist or not.

Are you sure, anon? I guessed that when I read "accreditation"—in the past, I have even failed accreditation!—but I would bet that Spiegler would pick up on that and ask Koh about it. But maybe I'm being too generous.

Yes. Check Documenta website. Only mention of Accreditation Co-ordination comes under press section.

Also--re-read the email.

"we are not able to communicate a positive answer for the professional preview."
That means Koh cannot attend the press preview.

But that e-mail doesn't actually mention press once, which makes it different from every press invitation ever sent. "Professional preview" sounds to me like a VIP thing. It's not that I don't see what you're saying, and you may very well be right, but it's not self evident to me that you are because, well, I think it would be self evident to Koh and Spiegler both that Koh isn't press. Hey, maybe I'm wrong about that, maybe Koh misunderstood, maybe there's some other explanation.

The following information from a cached earlier version of the website, makes clear that there is a distinction between "press accreditation" and "professional accreditation," although the criteria for the latter are nowhere defined:

documenta 12 Accreditation for Press and Professionals

Press Accreditation
The online accreditation process of the documenta 12 for the Press Conference on 13 June 2007 at 12 am and the preview days from 13�17 June 2007 has been completed.

Further online accreditations for this period can, unfortunately, no longer be accepted.

On 13 June 2007 from 8 am to 3 pm, please use the accreditation counter at Kongress Palais Kassel � Stadthalle, Friedrich-Ebert-Stra�e 152, 34119 Kassel.

On 13 June after 5 pm and from 14�17 June from 10 am to 8 pm you can collect your press accreditation at the press counter in the documenta-Halle, Du-Ry-Stra�e 1, 34117 Kassel. Please note that this card is assigned to you personally and is non-transferable.

To visit the documenta 12 from 18 June 2007 onwards you can collect your press accreditation at the press counter in the documenta-Halle, Du-Ry-Stra�e 1, 34117 Kassel (daily from 10 am to 8 pm). Please have your press card available OR an official letter signed by your editor confirming your assignment to report on the documenta 12.
This press card is valid for two consecutive days and non-transferable.

The documenta 12 team will be glad to answer any questions you may have from Monday to Friday between 10 am and 8 pm
T +49 (0) 561-81 04 93 92
F +49 (0) 561-81 04 93 91
Email: pressaccreditation(at)documenta.de

We look forward to welcoming you at the documenta 12.

Professional Accreditation
Registration has been completed for the professional preview of the documenta 12 on 14 and 15 June 2007. Unfortunately, due to technical reasons, further accreditations cannot be accepted. Thank you for your understanding.

The team of documenta 12 looks forward to welcoming you in Kassel during the entire duration of the exhibition from 16 June to 23 September 2007.
Please see our website for information on admission prices and the supporting programme.

Should you have any questions, the documenta 12 team will be glad to help you. Just phone: +49 (0) 561-81 04 93 93 between 10 am and 8 pm, Monday to Friday.