Within a country where sporting events, specifically male-centered competition, are media focal points, generalizations and stereotypes easily arise. Christopher Bedford’s Hard Targets exhibit, on display at the Wexner Center for the Arts until April 11, aims to surface these stereotypes by offering alternative artistic interpretations.

With underlying themes such as masculinity and sexuality, Bedford’s collection attempts to point out behind-the-scenes perceptions surrounding camaraderie, physicality and idolization by presenting both on and off-field profiles.

 
The exhibition includes more than 70 photographs, paintings, videos and sculptors from 21 international artists, producing a worldwide scope on these issues that encompass all cultures. The event also incorporates imagery of preceding athletes, working within a 25-year margin of sports entertainment ranging from the glory years of Michael Jordan to the recent frenzy of David Beckham.

In addition to revealing the almost subconscious topics that envelop the sports world, Hard Targets seeks to compromise the division between the art and sports. This barrier not only consists of the subjects themselves, but the audience demographic that comes with it.

Bedford, a graduate of Oberlin College, points to his academic and social experiences as possible motives for the orchestrated cultural collision of Hard Targets.

“It draws on a specific collegiate experience I had, playing football at a time when I was also taking a class on alternative perceptions of sexuality," says Bedford.

The exhibit curator adds that the source of the athletics-centered event was not singularly the city’s enthusiasm with sports or the urge to contextualize common stereotypes; rather the emphasis lay on the “collision” of the two: what people already know with an alternative angle.

“There is a wide range. It provides all this [objectifying imagery and conservative imagery], plus a diversity or culture and race”, says Bedford.

The Wexner Center for the Arts is located at 1871 N. High Street. Hard Targets will be on display between 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the weekends. Admission is $5, or free for members, students, and children. Visit www.wexarts.org for more information.