Rob Dingle

This week is packed with talks and symposiums from high profile speakers, emerging group exhibitions and the opportunity to get stuck in yourself.

WEDNESDAY

Visit the ICA this evening for a blockbuster talk by David Harvey, distinguished Professor of Anthropology at the City University of New York. The author of 'The Enigma of Capital' considers the timely question of how financial crises can best be contained within the constraints of capitalism, putting forward the case for a social order that would allow us to live within a system that really is responsible, just and humane.

FRIDAY

Following neatly from Wednesday's talk at the ICA, this day symposium Art and the Social, Exhibitions of Contemporary Art in the 1990s at Tate Britain looks at the part played by political activism, institutional critique and forms of socialisation influenced by the media and moving image. Questioning labels such as 'Kontext Kunst', 'social engagement' and 'relational aesthetics', developments in recent contemporary exhibition history will be discussed. Speakers include Claire Bishop, Charles Esche and Stephan Schmidt-Wulffen.

For something completely different catch the last day of 'The Beams and Joists are made of butter' by Matthew Cowan at The bun House. Cowan's practice reflects upon the traditions of British and European customs, revealing of the strange relationship that exists between folk customs and contemporary society.

SUNDAY

If you have never published anything before then this is the chance you have been waiting for. This weekend Publish and be Damned is at Somerset House participating in Pick Me Up, the contemporary graphic design fair. Established in 2004 by Kit Hammonds and Emily Pethick Publish and be Damned is an ongoing series of projects related to artists' publishing, particularly outside established presses and whose core activity is an annual self-publishing fair in London.

Closing today see work by former murmurartist Jack Newling at Jerwood Conteporary Painters. The exhibition aims to promote, discover and support imaginative and vibrant practice in contemporary painting and offers an exciting opportunity to emerging artists who are at a particular stage in their development, falling between student and recognised artist status. The exhibition brings together up to 30 artists who have all graduated since 2000 are invited to show one selected piece of work and will receive a minimum of £1000, not as a 'prize' but as a participation fee. For more info visit the Jerwood website.