Spartak Khachanov: The Impersonal

Spartak Khachanov is an artist and political refugee from Ukraine currently living in Helsinki. His work foregrounds themes such as political instability, war, migration, and nationalism. Using a wide range of techniques, Khachanov draws on his own experiences of having fled multiple times, making these themes deeply personal to him. He arrived in Finland through the Artists at Risk organization.

Khachanov’s research project The Impersonal explores the realities of refugees and reception centers. It originated during his two-year stay at the Vantaa Reception Center, where he documented everyday life through photography, video, and sound—from food culture and the surrounding environment to interactions with the outside world.

The exhibition at the Hotel and Restaurant Museum highlights experiences related to food and food culture within reception centers, giving voice to those who have sought safety in Finland. Its aim is to challenge stereotypes and promote a more inclusive society.

The exhibition is on display from 5 June to 16 August 2026 as part of the museum’s permanent exhibition The Taste Matters. Through Khachanov’s works, the food culture emerging in reception centers becomes part of the broader story of Finnish food culture.