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. 2021
  2. Published

    Segment Introduction

    Nigro, R. & Hörl, E., 01.10.2021, Taking Sides: Theories, Practices, and Cultures of Participation in Dissent. Bippus, E., Ganzert, A. & Otto, I. (eds.). 1 ed. Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, Vol. 28. p. 251-257 7 p. (Culture & theory; vol. 211).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksOtherResearch

  3. Published

    Assistenz für wen? Autonomes Fahren zwischen Norm und Variabilität

    Stock, R. & Müggenburg, J., 20.10.2021, Autonome Autos: Medien- und kulturwissenschaftliche Perspektiven auf die Zukunft der Mobilität. Sprenger, F. (ed.). Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, p. 339-358 20 p. (Digitale Gesellschaft; vol. 32).

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

  4. Published

    Wenn Batterien unter die Haut gehen

    Hille, L., 29.11.2021, Reichweitenangst: Batterien und Akkus als Medien des Digitalen Zeitalters. Müggenburg, J. (ed.). Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, p. 63-76 14 p.

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

  5. Published

    Ruins of Excess: Computer Game Images and the Rendering of Technological Obsolescence

    Luersen, E. H. & Fuchs, M., 01.12.2021, In: Games and Culture . 16, 8, p. 1087-1110 24 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Soziale Medien als Technologien der Überwachung und Kontrolle

    Leistert, O., 24.12.2021, Handbuch Soziale Medien. Schmidt, J.-H. & Taddicken, M. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 1 - 19 19 p. (Springer Reference Sozialwissenschaften).

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

  7. 2022
  8. Published

    Beweismaterial: Fotografie und ihr Rohstoffverbrauch

    Tollmann, V., 2022, In: Springerin : Hefte für Gegenwartskunst. 28, 3, p. 10-11 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  9. Published

    Hören, was die Maschine hört

    Großmann, R., 2022, Acoustic Intelligence: Hören und Gehorchen. Schürmer, A., Haberer, M. & Brautscheck, T. (eds.). Düsseldorf: Düsseldorf University Press, p. 83-94 12 p. (acoustic studies düsseldorf; vol. 5).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  10. Published

    In der Dämmerung: Studien zur Vor- und Frühgeschichte der Kritischen Theorie

    Voller, C., 2022, Berlin: Matthes & Seitz Berlin. 414 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  11. Published

    Reichweitenangst: Batterien und Akkus als Medien des Digitalen Zeitalters

    Müggenburg, J. (Editor), 2022, Bielefeld: transcript Verlag. 295 p. (Digitale Gesellschaft; vol. 28)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesConference proceedingsResearch

  12. Published

    Reichweitenangst: Zur Einleitung

    Müggenburg, J., 2022, Reichweitenangst: Batterien und Akkus als Medien des Digitalen Zeitalters. Müggenburg, J. (ed.). Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, p. 7-23 17 p. (Digitale Gesellschaft; vol. 28).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch