Sara Catenacci

Sara Catenacci is an Assistant Professor in Art History at the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, affiliated with the LYNX Center. She holds a PhD in Art History from Sapienza University of Rome, with prior degrees from the University of Pavia, Ca’ Foscari, and IUAV Universities in Venice. Her research focuses on 20th-century Italian art institutions, socially engaged art practices of the 1970s, and the intersection of art, architecture, and design with social activism.

Her academic training included collaborations with institutions like the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Venice Biennale’s Archives. Notable roles include Research Curator for the 14th Istanbul Biennial (2014–2015) and Curatorial Coordinator at Castello di Rivoli Museum of Contemporary Art (2019–2020). From 2020–2022, she was part of MACRO Museum of Contemporary Art in Rome’s curatorial team.

Her research explores:

• History of contemporary art institutions and para-institutions in Italy
• Methodologies for analyzing 20th-century exhibitions
• International solidarity networks in 1970s art communities
• Connections between art, architecture, and social engagement

Recent publications include studies on Gianfranco Baruchello’s agricultural art project, Riccardo Dalisi’s participatory design methods, and solidarity-driven art networks. Her work bridges art theory with socio-political contexts, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches.

Key projects include analyzing the 'Operazione Roma Eterna' urban intervention and curating exhibitions on radical design collectives like Global Tools. She actively contributes to conferences on modernity, biennale histories, and design pedagogy.