On February 19, Hopkins Hall Gallery will transform into both an art exhibition and a laboratory. While it may seem simply like an interactive art gallery to some, the creators of trace layer play 4 are using every interaction made by gallery viewers as research data to demonstrate how people understand, analyze and interact with art. 

The free exhibition will be open to the public from February 19 to March 1, 2024 at Hopkins Hall Gallery, located at 128 North Oval Mall on Ohio State’s campus. A closing event featuring talks from the artists will be held on March 1 from 4 – 5 p.m.

The trace layer play collective was created by a group of graduate students and alumni from the Ohio State Department of Arts Administration, Education, and Policy, and their work is meant to allow viewers to leave their own “trace” on the gallery. 

“If you’re interested in arts-based research and experiencing interdisciplinary forms of in-progress research, then this exhibition is for you! Research doesn’t have to be isolating! Come engage and (re) imagine the research process with us!” commented Tamryn McDermott, a cofounder of trace layer play. 

This is the fourth installation of trace layer play, with past installations asking viewers to play and listen to music, write on the walls and even play with rice. These interactions were recorded and then used for each group member’s own art-related research. 

Every word in trace layer play has a distinct meaning in relation to the exhibition. “Trace” signifies the trace that is left by the viewers. “Layer” means the accumulation of a variety of materials and mediums. “Play” conveys the always changing parts and the creation of new ideas. These three words embody the research that is being conducted through trace layer play 4 in furthering our understanding of how people interact with and leave their mark on the world through art.