On the agenda: Melting rooms, love hotels, severed arms... the future's looking odd, to say the least

Culture

Judging by the popularity of Avatar and interest in Sky's first 3D sports broadcast last Sunday, stereoscopic screenings are in the ascendancy. But the moving image isn't the only medium getting a multi-dimensional makeover. As part of Tiger Beer's "Tiger Lucky 8" art festival (celebrating the Chinese year of the tiger), British visual artist Chu will be unveiling a 3D room whose edges seem to melt away when you don a pair of special specs. Other features will include a light show projected on to the remains of Brighton's West Pier (above right). From Wednesday; Chu's installation opens at Boxxed (boxxed.co.uk), Birmingham, on 15 February. Go to tigerbeer.co.uk/year ofthetiger for full details)

Adam Jacques

Food

Seafood fans, ahoy! On 17 February the decks will be cleared for a special night at Fifteen Cornwall, Jamie Oliver's chef-training enterprise on Watergate Bay. For one night, the kitchen will be handed over to fishmonger/restaurateur Mitch Tonks (above inset), who will help prepare a six-course medley of dishes, including Devon oysters, Dover sole, Cornish sardines and roasted monkfish. All proceeds go to the Cornwall Foundation of Promise. £97pp, including wine; fifteencornwall.co.uk

AJ

Film

London's ICA might be beset with financial problems, but it continues to put on fascinating events that would make its mooted closure a tragedy. The latest is a look at contemporary Japanese cinema made for, about and by women. Directors from Kurosawa to Miyazaki have put women to the fore of their films, but this series digs deeper, to consider the contrasting styles of male and female directors – notably Naoko Ogigami's heart-warmingly feminine Kamome Diner; and Izuru Kumasaka's Asyle, based around a love hotel. From Tuesday, ica.org.uk

Robert Epstein

Photography

Combining the surreal with the erotic is a recurring theme of award-winning Italian photographer Marco Sanges, whose latest exhibition, Big Scenes, at the Hackney Empire, delves into his fantastical psyche. His imagery (above) ranges from opulent ballrooms populated by musicians, dancers and draped nudes, to strangely posed, gaudily lit portraits that could come straight out of an adult version of Alice in Wonderland. From Friday, by appointment only, hackneyempire.co.uk

AJ

Books

Though centuries of crime novels have found spiritual homes among its chilly streets, Edinburgh and love stories go together like whisky and... tonic. Until, perhaps, Tuesday, when The Edinburgh Bookshop in Bruntsfield will hold the city's first literary speed-dating event. Anyone who is "looking for love and also loves books" is advised to head to The One Below bar at the Rutland Hotel for 7.15pm in search of a happy ending. Tickets are £5 and, fortunately, include wine. Email love@ edinburghbookshop.com for info

Katy Guest

Fashion

Popping the question simply isn't enough these days: there's a panoply of extras to adorn the time-honoured knee-bend. Still, if you're going to do it, you might as well do it right, and thankfully The Ritz is on-hand to assist the amorous well-heeled. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, anyone looking to buy a rock for their lady from the hotel's luxury Fine Jewellery line (inset left) will be offered a complimentary manicure and celebratory engagement dinner at the hotel's prestigious restaurant. Perfect for those cash-rich, time-poor romantics who like the idea of everything under one roof. ritzfinejewellery.com

Harriet Walker