Nastja Säde Rönkkö:
Survival Guide for a Post-Apocalyptic Child

Award-winning Finnish video artist Nastja Säde Rönkkö presents her thought-provoking installation Survival Guide for a Post-Apocalyptic Child at the historic Fort Burgoyne in Dover, from 1 August to 14 September 2025. This immersive large-scale exhibition delves into the uncertain future facing humankind and all living beings, challenging viewers to reflect on survival strategies in an increasingly precarious world.

The exhibition features 26 cinematic HD-videos at its core, accompanied by a series of sculptures and a captivating soundscape. Together, they explore practical and emotional survival strategies for the future, inviting viewers to engage with a world at the brink of environmental and societal breakdown. The videos range from guidance on finding food in the wild to speculative visions of life on other planets. Each piece touches on personal and global crises, blending abstract, poetic narratives with urgent, practical considerations.

Presented by the University for the Creative Arts, with support from Arts Council England, The Finnish Institute and FRAME, this marks the UK premiere of Survival Guide for a Post-Apocalyptic Child, following its successful production by Lönnström Art Museum in 2022 and presentation at HAM (Helsinki). The exhibition will be shown at Fort Burgoyne, with additional satellite screenings and events at Quench Gallery (Margate), Prospect Cottage (Dungeness), and Folkestone Triennial Fringe.

Opening event:

Friday 1 August 6-9pm at Fort Burgoyne, Dover.

Opening dates & times:

1 August – 31 August 2025, Thursday to Sunday 10-5pm.

Satellite screenings and events:

• Wednesday 16 July, 7pm
  B IS FOR BLOOD: Nastja Säde Rönkkö in conversation with Gemma Rolls-Bentley, featuring a curated selection of the videos to launch 'Survival Guide for a Post-Apocalyptic Child' at the Live Art Development Agency, London. Free to attend. Book here.
• Thursday 14 August, 7pm
  Q IS FOR QUESTIONS: Nastja Säde Rönkkö in conversation with Giulia Casalini, featuring a curated selection of the videos at Quench Gallery, Margate. Free to attend. Book here.
• Saturday 9th August, 1-4pm
  G IS FOR GUIDE: Bushcraft & survival skills with Cormac Martin. Free to attend. Book here.
• Friday 15 August, 7pm - 10pm
  F IS FOR FORAGING: Late night opening + foraged feast with awarding chefs Dr Legumes at Fort Burgoyne, Dover. Free to attend. Book here.
• Saturday 13th  & Sunday 14th  September, 11am - 4pm
  R IS FOR RITUAL: Satelite screening of select videos inside Prospect Cottage, Dungeness.

Find us:

Fort Burgoyne Road, Guston, Dover, Kent CT15 5FN

We encourage audiences to travel sustainably using Southeastern trains and bus routes 80A, 80B, 81 & 93. There is parking available onsite.

Disabled access:

The site is wheelchair accessible, with ramps in some areas. Please contact us with any access requirements.

For more information, press inquiries, or to request high-resolution images, please contact:
 
Arly Bean, UCA Galleries Curator – arly.bean@uca.ac.uk
Leighanne Murray, Atelier Public Relations – leighanne@atelierpublicrelations.com
Sara Kärpänen, Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland – sara.karpanen@fininst.uk

Instagram: @uca_kentgalleries