I thought the excesses of the 1980's had long since passed but then comes along this massive (an expensive) volume on Jean-Michel Basquiat, one of the Kings of the 80's art scene two decades ago. Sadly, like much art from that period, Basquiat's faux-naif paintings come across more like deliberate attempts at critical and commercial success than intuitive genius from a true visionary painter. Words are scribbled as if to add depth to the expressionistic brush strokes, but looking at page after page in this retrospective book the words don't add up to the great opus collectors want it to be. However, many investors have bought Basquiat's paintings and it is in the best interest of the entire collective to publish a book of their prized trophies and this is the end result. A large volume on a commercialy created genius. But beware, in the end, dollar figures can not buy a place in the history books.