Institute of Culture and Aesthetics of Digital Media

Organisational unit: Institute

Organisation profile

The ICAM researches the conditions, effects and aesthetics of digital media in connection with processes of culturalization, the technologization of social and economic relations, and the generation and archiving of knowledge. Our studies reflect on how (digital) media always also contribute to shaping the signs and objects they store, transmit or process in a specific way. At the same time, we are interested in how certain cultural techniques contribute to shaping the usage and areas of application of digital media.

Researchers at the ICAM explore the cultural and technological history of digital media—from cybernetics and the beginnings of the computer all the way to present-day network technologies, from textual and acoustic to visual forms of media representation, and from the classics to current concepts of media theory formation.

Main research areas

The ICAM researches the conditions, effects and aesthetics of digital media in connection with processes of culturalization, the technologization of social and economic relations, and the generation and archiving of knowledge. Our studies reflect on how (digital) media always also contribute to shaping the signs and objects they store, transmit or process in a specific way. At the same time, we are interested in how certain cultural techniques contribute to shaping the usage and areas of application of digital media.

In the different core areas researchers at the ICAM explore the cultural and technological history of digital media—from cybernetics and the beginnings of the computer all the way to present-day network technologies, from textual and acoustic to visual forms of media representation, and from the classics to current concepts of media theory formation. 

The ICAM maintains close institutional contact and cooperates with the Leuphana, e.g., the Moving Image Lab of the Innovation Incubator, the Leuphana College, the Leuphana Arts Program and the Leuphana Graduate School. Furthermore, the ICAM is responsible for the Audio and Video Labs of the Computer and Media Center of Leuphana. 

  1. Assistive Media - Subproject 2

    Hagen, W. (Project manager, academic), Müggenburg, J. (Project manager, academic), Harasser, K. (Partner), Mills, M. (Partner) & Macele, P. (Project staff)

    German Research Foundation

    01.10.1831.12.21

    Project: Research

  2. Elements of a Critical Theory of Media and Participation

    Hörl, E. (Project manager, academic) & Nigro, R. (Project manager, academic)

    German Research Foundation

    01.10.1831.10.22

    Project: Research

  3. Medien der Assistenz/ Assistive Media

    Wiechern, A.-L. (Project manager, academic) & Müggenburg, J. (Project manager, academic)

    01.10.1831.12.21

    Project: Research

  4. Sonic-Pi-Workshop: "Live-Coding" mit SP-Entwickler Sam Aaron

    Großmann, R. (Project manager, academic) & Aaron, S. (Partner, non-academic)

    22.05.1822.05.18

    Project: Scientific event

  5. Gamification. Shifting Boundaries between the Ludic and the Non-Ludic

    Fuchs, M. (Project manager, academic), Pias, C. (Project manager, academic), Raessens, J. (Partner) & Bogost, I. (Partner)

    German Research Foundation

    01.04.1830.06.21

    Project: Research

  6. Cultures of Critique: Forms, Media, Effects

    Söntgen, B. (Project manager, academic), Hörl, E. (Project manager, academic) & Beyes, T. (Project manager, academic)

    German Research Foundation

    01.10.1631.07.21

    Project: Research

  7. 33 1/3 Revolutions

    Fuchs, M. (Project manager, academic)

    16.05.1629.05.16

    Project: Non-academic projects

  8. Affect- and Psychotechnolog Studies. Emergent Technologies of Affective and Emotional (Self-)Control

    Pias, C. (Project manager, academic) & Schrape, N. (Project manager, academic)

    German Research Foundation

    01.11.1530.03.17

    Project: Research

  9. Media and Participation. Between demand and entitlement, TP 5: Participatory Critique as Transforming and Transversal "With"

    Bippus, E. (Partner), Brunner, C. (Project manager, academic), Nigro, R. (Partner), Ochsner, B. (Project manager, academic) & Hörl, E. (Partner)

    01.10.1531.07.22

    Project: Research