Spartak Khachanov: The Impersonal

In the project The Impersonal, visual artist Spartak Khachanov makes visible the everyday life of reception centres, their food culture, and the experiences of refugees.

Khachanov is a political refugee living and working in Finland. His work emphasizes political instability, war, migration, and nationalism. Using diverse techniques, Khachanov has been forced to flee multiple times, making these themes deeply personal to him. He came to Finland with support from an arts organization.

Khachanov's research project The Impersonal addresses refugee experiences and reception centres. It originated from the artist's two years at the Vantaa reception centre, where he documented daily life through photographs, video, and sound recordings - from food culture and environment to interaction with the outside world.

The exhibition at the Hotel and Restaurant Museum highlights experiences related to food at reception centres and gives voice to those who sought protection in Finland. The aim is to break down stereotypes and promote a more inclusive society.

The exhibition is presented as part of the museum's permanent exhibition Matters of Taste, where Khachanov's works bring the food culture of reception centres into the Finnish food narrative.