ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the principles outlined by Benjamin within the context of a study of current art collecting practices in the United Arab Emirates, with specific emphasis on Dubai and Abu Dhabi. For a young country with a focus on nation building, structure is crucial: it creates order out of disorder. Now in its 40th year, the United Arab Emirates no longer requires only basic infra-structure but also that which enriches the lives of its residents and citizens beyond buildings and trains and banks: cultural life. Since approaches to collecting within each Emirate are different with few private collectors but major government collections in the making in Abu Dhabi, and a wealth of private collectors in Dubai, analyses may provide some insight into current trends in the Gulf. Dubai's collectors, galleries, foundations, creative shops, art fairs and artist studios are indicative of a young nation establishing identity through culture on an entrepreneurial level.
