There’s something profoundly reassuring about minimalism. It’s like decluttering your living space and realizing that the objects you've chosen to keep suddenly hold greater meaning. Encor Studio, a Swiss collective quietly making waves since its inception in 2015, understands this intimately. Founded by Mirko Eremita, David Houncheringer, Valerio Spoletini, and Manuel Oberholzer, Encor specializes in removing rather than adding, a quiet rebellion against today's sensory overload. Their work revolves around negative space, the in-between moments, and the quiet gaps. They’re masters at something deeper: knowing exactly how much to leave out.
We spoke to David Houncheringer in Paris about their creative process, their collaborations, and advice for young creatives. Watch it below!
The Art of Subtraction
David Houncheringer, co-founder of Encor Studio, describes their work as "subtractive art," an elegant phrase that neatly summarizes their philosophy. Unlike the common impulse to impress through complexity and excess, Encor chooses to simplify. Their method involves carefully removing elements to highlight the beauty and clarity of what's left behind—often just glass, electricity, and light.
Consider their use of electrochromic glass, the key material in their piece, Adsum, which has been shown in several contexts and was used as a centerpiece for the HELIOT EMIL runway. A notable example of their subtractive approach is their electrochromic glass installation, prominently featured in their recent collaboration with fashion label HELIOT EMIL for the SS25 runway show. This 100 cm installation, a variation on their piece, Adsum, gradually shifted transparency through electrical currents, subtly altering perceptions of materiality and transparency. David captures the studio’s minimalistic spirit succinctly: "We love the really minimalistic way to work."
Projects and Experiential Narratives
Encor Studio’s range extends well beyond their electrochromic glass installations. Their project "Frontier," exhibited at international venues such as Maintenant Festival in Rennes and Silver Lining Festival in Taipei, delicately explores the boundaries between light and space. It uses carefully orchestrated reflections, waves, and precise lighting to invite viewers into a contemplative dialogue with their surroundings, pushing them gently toward a reconsideration of perception and presence.
"Erratic," another installation shown at Terraforma in Milan and Donaufestival in Austria, focuses on the unpredictability inherent in natural processes. Through kinetic sculptures, it mimics the organic chaos found in nature, revealing the beauty in randomness and encouraging a deeper reflection on the dynamic tension between order and chaos.
Encor also ventured into emotionally charged territory with "Hate," an installation presented at the 23rd Japan Media Arts Festival and Fri Art Kunsthalle. This piece, through the combined use of kinetic sculptures and sound visualizations, compelled viewers to confront and contemplate the complex emotions underpinning human interactions and societal tensions arising from social media.
A Different Kind of Collaboration
It’s tempting to be cynical about artists collaborating with big brands. Too often, the result is a commercial gimmick dressed up as art. Encor Studio navigates this differently. The studio’s embrace of minimalism doesn't mean they work alone—in fact, quite the opposite. Collaboration is central to Encor’s identity. In fact, the studio is divided bifurcated: EncorStudio focuses on artistic experimentation, while EncorInc, is more commercially minded. By splitting their work, they are able to have the best of both worlds.
Rather than being transactional, their partnerships become genuine dialogues, merging artistic visions seamlessly. Encor has collaborated widely, creating visuals and installations for clients including Mercedes-Benz, Omega, Puma, Cartier, and Red Bull. Yet their engagements are thoughtfully curated to ensure mutual understanding and shared aesthetic goals. These collaborations provide resources and creative sparks, allowing Encor the freedom to explore their vision further.
Beyond designing the centerpiece, they also collaborated with HELIOT EMIL on wearable glass accessories. Describing their process with HELIOT EMIL, David remarked, "We did maybe a few calls on WhatsApp and things can go anyway with the fashion industry. It goes fast. So yeah, it was an easy project and super fun." This informal, genuine exchange underscores the studio’s commitment to authentic collaboration, where mutual respect fuels creativity.
Documenting the Temporary
In contemporary experiential art, capturing the ephemeral is critical. An installation may exist only briefly in physical space but can live indefinitely in the digital world. Encor Studio is acutely aware of this paradox, ensuring each project is meticulously documented.
Their careful digital presentation is similar to an expertly captured photograph of an art installation—like Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s temporary wrapped structures. Although the original experience has long since disappeared, digital documentation ensures its continued emotional resonance. For Encor, platforms like Instagram and Vimeo aren't merely promotional tools; they’re extensions of their artistic process, allowing viewers to engage meaningfully with their work long after the installation has vanished.
The Road Ahead: Quiet Innovation
Looking ahead, Encor Studio remains committed to refining their minimalist approach. Their path forward isn't about becoming louder or flashier; it’s about deepening their exploration of subtlety and nuance. In a culture increasingly saturated with visual noise, their deliberate quietness speaks volumes.
For emerging creatives, David’s advice is straightforward yet deeply encouraging: "Just push and experiment." It's an invitation to remain curious, patient, and thoughtful. Rather than chasing spectacle, Encor encourages artists to slow down, to thoughtfully remove rather than relentlessly add, and to trust that in the spaces left behind, something genuinely meaningful will emerge.
In their own quiet way, Encor Studio reminds us of an essential truth: the most profound experiences often come from what we choose to leave out.
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