B Is for Blood: Nastja Säde Rönkkö in Conversation With Gemma Rolls-Bentley
‘B is for blood in our veins, blood in our belly, between our legs, the flow of life within.’ – from Survival Guide for a Post-Apocalyptic Child
Join us for an intimate evening with Nastja Säde Rönkkö in conversation with curator and writer Gemma Rolls-Bentley, discussing Nastja’s artistic journey from Live Art to film, and the visceral language of their work. A selection of short videos from Survival Guide for a Post-Apocalyptic Child will be screened during the event, followed by audience questions and discussion.
The event takes place at the Live Art Development Agency (LADA), London, on Wednesday 16 July. The full exhibition will be shown at the historic Fort Burgoyne in Dover from 1–31 August 2025.
Survival Guide for a Post-Apocalyptic Child is a multidisciplinary project by award-winning video artist Nastja Säde Rönkkö, employing video, sculpture, text and workshops to explore strategies of survival in a world of contiguous crises.
About the artist
Nastja Säde Rönkkö is a Helsinki-based artist known for her work in media art, performance, and writing. Rönkkö 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.
In her own words, Rönkkö reflects 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. What should we remember about the present era? What should we learn and pass on? How can we dream up new ways of living?”
Public programme
Wednesday 16th July, 7pm – Artist Talk + screening of select videos at the Live Art Development Agency, London
Thursday 14th August, 7pm – Artist Talk + screening of select videos at Quench Gallery, Margate
Friday 15th August – Late Night opening + Foraged Feast with Dr Legumes
Friday 12 – Sunday 14th September – Installation of select videos inside Prospect Cottage, Dungeness
Survival Guide for a Post-Apocalyptic Child at Fort Burgoyne (Fort Burgoyne Rd, Guston, Dover CT15 5FN) from the 1st of August until the 31st August 2025. The exhibition is open from Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
The exhibition is presented by the University for the Creative Arts with support from the Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland, Arts Council England and Frame Finland.