Pythagoras • The latest work by talented artist and filmmaker Ho Tzu Nyen is built around the notions of veils and ventriloquism to brilliant effect, consisting single channel videos and sculptures. Through Dec 15. Michael Janssen Gallery (Gillman Barracks), #02-21, 9 Lock Rd., 6734-8948. Free.

A Way of Life • Photographs from the Leica Collection • Outstanding photography exhibition featuring original prints by the legendary Henri Cartier-Bresson, Constantine Manos, René Burri and Klavdij Sluban, among many others. Through Dec 31. Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place, 6332-7798. Free.

The Art of Collecting • The showcase includes 19 masterpieces by European masters such as Botticelli, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Monet, Modigliani and Picasso. Through Dec 31. Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris, Fort Canning Centre, Cox Terrace. $12-15 from SISTIC.  

Surreal Reality • Impressionistic black-and-white photographs by American Rodney Smith, whose famous piece from 1995, “Don Jumping Over Hay Rool”, is a testament to his wonderful compositions and craft.  Through Jan 5 2014. Fost Gallery (Gillman Barracks), #01-02, 1 Lock Rd., 6694-3080. Free.

Singapore Biennale 2013 • This year’s much-anticipated edition of the Singapore Biennale brings together the best and most thought-provoking pieces from around Southeast Asia and farther afield. Through Feb 16 2014, 10am. Bras Basah Bugis Precinct. $10. www.singaporebiennale.org.

Art Stage Singapore
No self-respecting art fan should miss this one. There will be more than 100 galleries from all over the world participating, with a strong focus on the Asia Pacific region. Apart from the best in contemporary Asian art, keep a look out for big-name works from Brit greats, like Tracy Emin and Damien Hirst. It’s like Art 101 all over again.  
Jan 16-19. Halls D,E,F, Level B2, Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, 10 Bayfront Ave., www.artstagesingapore.com. $33 (day-pass) $63 (season-pass).

ART IN MOTION (AIM)
Art enthusiasts will have the chance to experience the best in contemporary art from 14 participating galleries, located around Bugis, Bras Basah, Gillman Barracks and Raffles Hotel Arcade, including Chan Hampe Galleries and Art Plural. You’ll get to gallery hop for free, and there are dinner parties and cocktails, in-between tours, to look forward to.  
Jan 18-19. Sign up at www.agas.org.sg/aim_event.acv or email [email protected].

Kiko Escora
The talented Filipino artist Kiko Escora depicts the dichotomy between paint and charcoal, through his intricate exploration of contours, shadows and tones, resulting in a series of drawings of human figures in various state of ennui. This long-awaited show by the flamboyant Escora is one that we’ve been looking forward to for years.
Jan 10-16. The Drawing Room, #01-06 Gillman Barracks, 5 Lock Rd., 6694-3289, www.drawingroomgallery.com. Free.

see all exhibitions at Singapore Art Week 2014

Days We Met
This photographic exhibition from local collective 5ive Foot Way features work they’ve shot, produced and edited, of the streets both in Singapore and abroad. It is striking, thought-provoking and a window into their undeniable love for the photographic process.
Jan 8-24.Objectifs, 56A Arab St., 6293-9782, www.objectifs.com.sg. Free.

The Sanctuary of the Topsy Turvy
A showcase of wonderful, quirky photographs by 42-year-old Japanese artist Yuki Onodera. Created over the past decade, the pieces are imbued with a dichotomy of sense and wonder, as well as curiosity and insight, and feature a hip, collage-like aesthetic.
Jan 15-Feb 28. 2902 Gallery, #02-02, 222 Queen St., 6339-8655, www.2902gallery.com. Free.

Herb & Dorothy 50 x 50
Directed by Megumi Sasaki, this insightful “road movie” traces the efforts of art collectors Herb and Dorothy Vogel, who donated their entire 2,500 artworks to museums across 50 states in the US, featuring rare interviews with the couple as well as interviews with curators, visitors and other famous artists. Masaki’s earlier film Herb & Dorothy, made in 2008, will also be screened as a companion piece.
Jan 18, 4:15pm, 9:15pm; Jan 19, 4:15pm. Herb & Dorothy is on Jan 18, 2pm, 7pm; Jan 19, 2pm. Screening Room, The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429, +65 6336-3021, www.theartshouse.com.sg. $12 from the website or venue.

see all exhibitions at Singapore Art Week 2014

How did it all begin?

In the late 1960’s, I was enrolled at Yale University diligently working on a respectable degree in Chinese Studies. I was placed in a dormitory room with two film fanatics, and from that moment everything changed. I met my partner Michael Herz in 1971 at Yale and The TromaUniverse was born in 1974. It arose from my desire to do things my way and not have to feel pressured by Hollywood studios to do things the “correct” or boring way.

What is Troma's signature?

All of the movies Michael Herz and I created concern the underdog citizen of Tromaville who is being sucked dry of economical and spiritual capital by the bureaucratic, corporate and labor elites. A signature theme in our films has always been about rooting for the underdog against all odds.

What are the necessary elements in making a good movie?

I do not know what makes a “good movie” but I do believe one very important thing is to follow the Shakespearean mantra “To thine own self be true.”

Define cult. 

Cult is when you have sold-out retrospectives of your work one day, but get kicked out of line for a screening at Cannes for not wearing a suit another day. Cult is receiving art work and fan letters requesting autographs from around the world, but having to explain your career to extended members of your family another day. Cult is taking the subway as an unrecognized ordinary person, while having legions of fans show up at conventions to show off their Troma body art.  

What's the secret to your success or longevity?

Success?Longevity? I think you have me mistaken for Andy Kaufman, who is still alive even after dying from lung cancer. Now that is longevity. No but really, Troma’s greatest success is our loyal and supportive fan base. We’ve always been very interactive with our fans and they have stuck with us over the years.

What is your own personal guilty pleasure or vice?

My own personal guilty pleasure is chewing gum and spitting it on the sidewalk (I hope this gets me frisked at the airport)!

What do you have to say to art-house film buffs?

I respect art-house film buffs for supporting independent art and not fueling the media conglomerates. They understand that art is very important to the human spirit, and is a reflection of society, which is why it is important for us to nurture new and unique voices and support independent art instead of supporting big budget remakes that offer no reflection of the human psyche. 

Lloyd Kaufman’s 2-Day Filmmaking Masterclass is on Dec 14-15, 9am-5pm. LaSalle College of the Arts, 1 McNally St., 6496-5000. $159 onwards from www.masterfilmmakers.com. 

K Suites
Yep, this is still the go-to place for a posh night out. You can do more than just channel your inner Mariah at K Box's swanky boutique karaoke suites, with more than 20 rooms in each outlet. Here you chill out at the cool bar counter or lounge area, swigging cocktails and beer. Plus the place also has a gourmet menu and various package deals.
#02-01 Orchard Parade Hotel, 1 Tanglin Rd., 6354-3113; #03-20 Bugis+, 201 Victoria St., 6243-3113, www.ksuites.com.sg. Open Mon-Fri 11am-3am; Sat-Sun 11am-4am.

Tang Music Box
The latest addition to Clarke Quay promises to give K Suites a run for its money. With over 25 karaoke rooms on offer, it is one of the city’s biggest yet. Each room is decorated with a Chinois-theme in mind, with elements drawn from Hong Kong and Old Shanghai. We love the fact that all rooms are equipped with a BMB sound system, one of the best we’ve tried out so far.
#02-03/04 The Foundry, Blk. B Clarke Quay, 3B River valley Rd., 6338-6659, www.tangmusicbox.com.sg. Open Mon-Thu 2pm-4am; Fri-Sat 2pm-6am; Sun 1pm-3am.

HQ Karaoke & Bar
Swathed in hot pink set against black sofas and bedecked with huge chandeliers, it has become a fabulous open concept hangout frequented by models and celebrities. This one’s different from the rest with its open bar concept (no individual rooms here, you just have to sing along with the rest of them), but that’s the whole fun of it.  
95 Club St., 6423-4695, www.facebook.com/HQkaraokebar. Open Mon-Wed 5:30pm-1am; Thu-Sat 5:30pm-3am.

Afrojack
Trance and techno is always a favorite with the crowd. Times are yet to be confirmed, but if previous years were anything to go by, this headliner who ranked number 9 on DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs list will play from 3am till the sun comes up.
Afrojack plays Dec 13.

Example
A live act this one, with the critically lauded Brit rapper-singer-songwriter performing alongside spinmeister DJ Wire. This is the kind of collaboration that’s been missing from the bigger tents so far.
Example performs Dec 13.

Alesso
The young Swede’s interpretation of summer dance anthems are almost legendary in the circuit, having worked with the likes of Armin van Buuren and Tiesto.
Alesso plays Dec 14.

Danny Avila
Another young gun to look out for, Spain’s Avila’s scorching sets are a must for those seeking the latest trance anthems.
Danny Avila plays Dec 14.

Seth Troxler
The purveyor of house and techno will drop his always infectious and trendy prog-houe tunes, inspired from his stint at the BBC Radio One.
Seth Troxler plays Dec 14.

Solomun
The Singapore debut of underground figure turned superstar producer Solomun is another reason to hit the sand. The latest name in progressive and disco-house was recently named DJ of the Year by Mixmag, and it’s his meticulously constructed dance mixes that we’re really looking forward to.
Solomun plays Dec 14.

Kölsch
A live techno DJ set in the vein of Richie Hawtin and Sven Vath. Kolsch’s debut here, off the back of a rich discography under different monikers on the Kompakt label, is a good place to start if you’re all about IDM (Intelligent Dance Music).
Kolsch plays Dec 14.

ZoukOut is on Dec 13-14, 8pm. Siloso Beach, Sentosa. $98 (one-day pass)-168 (two-day pass) from Sistic. For the full lineup, log onto www.zoukout.com.

The last time I got seriously drunk.. it was probably at my birthday party. Not seriously drunk, but just a little bit. It’s part of the job.

When I am sober, I.. am probably playing soccer. Or I´m asleep.

Dance music is.. a culture more than a business. 

Girls are.. diamonds’ best friends. 

God is.. something deep inside. 

I’d like to work with.. friends.

I’d like to sleep with.. common people.

Dance music is relevant because.. it makes people move.

Thomas spins Nov 30. Super O Season: The Return is on Nov 23, 30, Annex @ The Mill, 5 Jalan Kilang, www.supero.sg. $25-35 on the website and at the door.