A Desert Louvre?

When Dubai announced that it was building a series of islands representing “The World,” a real estate deal in which Rod Stewart is rumored to have purchased “Great Britain,” many commentators thought that the emirate had gone too, hilariously, far in its pursuit of luxury. But last month, the art world stood aghast at another announcement: The rulers of Abu Dhabi offered to buy a large share of the Louvre, pack up many priceless works of art, and mount them in a museum in the desert, slated to be designed by the world’s most famous architects. This announcement rankled many, especially those who think that high art and culture should be, the last holdouts against globalization. But Abu Dhabi’s potentates disagree, banking on the fact that tourists will love the convenience of having the world’s most famous cultural artifacts brought to one convenient location. Indeed, if the Louvre project and other impressive proposed buildings are completed, this desert oasis may boast more tourist attractions than most places on earth. – YaleGlobal