Survival Guide for a
Post-Apocalyptic Child

The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is pleased to announce the UK premiere of Finnish video artist Nastja Säde Rönkkö's Survival Guide for a Post-Apocalyptic Child at the historic Fort Burgoyne in Dover from 1 August to 14 September 2025.

30 April 2025

This immersive, large-scale exhibition delves into the uncertain future facing humankind and all living beings. It challenges viewers to reflect on survival strategies in an increasingly precarious world, urging us to consider what it means to survive and thrive in an uncertain future.

Supported by Arts Council England, The Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland and FRAME, the installation features 26 cinematic HD videos, 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, from guidance on finding food in the wild to speculative visions of life on other planets.

Rönkkö, a Helsinki-based artist known for her work in media art, performance, and writing, has received numerous accolades, including Young Artist of the Year in 2019 and the Below Zero Art Prize in 2023. Her art explores the foundations of humanity, social relations, and radical change in today’s era of transformation.

Rönkkö reflected on the intent behind her work: "Survival Guide for a Post-Apocalyptic Child was created for everyone living in this era of radical social upheaval, climate change, and inner transformation. The underlying idea behind the piece is that an unstoppable chain of events affecting all life on Earth has already begun. An irreversible political, social, or environmental chain reaction has thrust us into the midst of a world-changing event. What should we remember about the present era? What should we learn and pass on? How can we dream up new ways of living?"

The installation can be viewed from 1 August to 14 September 2025, Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, at Fort Burgoyne, Dover, UK.

Additional satellite screenings and events will be held at Quench Gallery (Margate), Prospect Cottage (Dungeness), and a secret Folkestone location as part of the Folkestone Triennial Fringe.

For more information, visit the UCA event page.