Next week I’m headed to London again, this time to give a workshop at Studio Voltaire sharing skills and inviting people to contribute to the Desperate Livin trans health archive. We’re going to explore some DIY digital archives, and I’m going to try to share some of the joy I feel about the handmade independent web.
To me, making a webpage yourself using simple html is intrinsically a beautiful thing to do, because it gets you closer to the materiality of the thing you’re working with. This is all the more important during the AI bubble, as so many drag-and-drop tools have now incorporated generative AI (as Chris Lawrence pointed out in the announcement of the Critical Distance Fansite Jam).
There are still a couple of places left, so if you’re a trans person in reach of London who wants to contribute to digital resilience for the community, please register.
“Zoyander Street hosts a workshop on coding and content, with support from artist Jennifer Booth. This hands-on session focuses on practical digital skills for community use, including adding, updating and amending website materials, as well as incorporating accessible formats.
“In this workshop, participants will learn how to share and build digital skills; centre Trans health, autonomy and community-led knowledge; increase accessibility of the Desperate Livin’ website; and keep the archive socially active and sustainable.
“Desperate Livin’ is an interactive digital archive of materials created by and for members of the Trans community, supporting autonomy, health and resilience. The site is open-source and was compiled by Raju Rage and designed by Zoyander Street in 2022.
“Please note that this workshop is specifically designed for and by Trans people. Please complete the expression of interest form below. Your attendance will be confirmed on Friday 16 January 2026.
“A laptop is needed to participate in this workshop. If you don’t have one, please let us know and we can provide one.
“This workshop forms part of Tender Living, supported by Arts Council England and Paul Hamlyn Foundation.”
