'Art is big business, with some artists able to command huge sums of money for their works, while the vast majority are ignored or dismissed by critics. This book shows that these marginalized artists, the "dark matter" of the art world, are essential to the survival of the elite and that they frequently organize in opposition to them.

Gregory Sholette, a politically engaged artist, argues that imagination and creativity in the art world originates and thrives in the non-commercial sector shut off from prestigious galleries and champagne receptions. This broader creative culture feeds the mainstream with new forms and styles that can be commodified styles that can be utilized to sustain the few artists admitted into the elite.

This dependency, and the advent of inexpensive communication, audio and video technology, has allowed this "dark matter" of the underground art world to increasingly subvert the official art world and intervene politically with both new and old forms of non-capitalist, public art.' - excerpted from back cover.

Including bibliography, index and Artists' Groups Survey 2008.