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. 2017
  2. Published

    Testimony/Bearing Witness: Epistemology, Ethics, History and Culture

    Krämer, S. (Editor) & Weigel, S. (Editor), 08.2017, London: Rowman & Littlefield International. 294 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  3. Published

    Utopian Hacks

    Bachmann, G., 08.2017, Limn Number 8: Hacks, Leaks, and Breaches. Coleman, E. G. & Kelty, C. M. (eds.). CreateSpace Independent Publishing, Vol. 8. p. 96-101 6 p. (Limn; no. 8).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  4. Published

    Nach der Revolution: Ein Brevier digitaler Kulturen

    Beyes, T. (Editor), Metelmann, J. (Editor) & Pias, C. (Editor), 09.2017, Berlin: Tempus Corporate GmbH. 204 p. (Duisburger Dialoge)(Edition Speersort)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  5. Published

    “Ruinensehnsucht”: Longing for Decay in Computer Games

    Fuchs, M., 22.09.2017, In: ToDiGRA. 3, 2, p. 37-56 20 p., 2.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Colour and Organization Studies

    Beyes, T., 01.10.2017, In: Organization Studies. 38, 10, p. 1467 - 1482 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Daten, Wahn, Sinn

    Apprich, C., 05.10.2017, In: Zeitschrift für Medienwissenschaft. 9, 17-2, p. 54-62 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Witless slaves or lively artifacts? A debate of the 1960s

    Müggenburg, J. K. & Pias, C., 08.11.2017, In: arq: Architectural Research Quarterly. 21, 1, p. 33–44 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Mobility, Media, and the Experiences of Airbnb’s Aesthetic Regime

    Bialski, P., 19.12.2017, Experiencing Networked Urban Mobilities: Practices, Flows, Methods. Freundendal-Pedersen, M., Hartmann-Petersen, K. & Perez Fjalland, E. L. (eds.). 1 ed. New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 5 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  10. 2018
  11. Published

    Aisthesis und Operativität der Schrift. Über ‚Schriftbildlichkeit'

    Krämer, S., 2018, Schreiben als Ereignis: Künste und Kulturen der Schrift. Müller-Tamm, J., Schubert, C. & Werner, K. U. (eds.). Paderborn: Wilhelm Fink Verlag, p. 17-34 18 p. (Zur Genealogie des Schreibens; vol. 23).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Das Bild in der Schrift: Über ‚operative Bildlichkeit‘ und die Kreativität des Graphismus

    Krämer, S., 2018, Schrift im Bild: Rezeptionsästhetische Perspektiven auf Text-Bild-Relationen in den Künsten. Gibhardt, B. R. & Grave, J. (eds.). Hannover: Wehrhahn Verlag, p. 209-222 14 p. (Ästhetische Eigenzeiten; vol. 10).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review