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. Published

    Internet der Dinge: Über smarte Objekte, intelligente Umgebungen und die technische Durchdringung der Welt

    Engemann, C. (Editor) & Sprenger, F. (Editor), 2015, Bielefeld: transcript Verlag. 400 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  2. Published

    Interpassives Spielen

    Fuchs, M., 20.09.2016, Phänomen Let´s Play-Video : Entstehung, Ästhetik, Aneignung und Faszination aufgezeichneten Computerspielhandelns. Ackermann, J. (ed.). Springer Verlag, p. 31-41 11 p. 2. (Neue Perspektiven der Medienästhetik).

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

  3. Published

    Introduction

    Lushetich, N. (Editor) & Fuchs, M. (Editor), 01.08.2016, In: Performance Research . 21, 4, p. 1-7 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Introduction

    Hörl, E., Pinkrah, N. Y. & Warnsholdt, L., 2021, Critique and the Digital . Hörl, E., Pinkrah, N. Y. & Warnsholdt, L. (eds.). Zürich: Diaphanes Verlag, p. 7 - 24 18 p. (Critical Stances).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksOtherResearch

  5. Published

    Introduction

    Borrelli, A., 2017, The Optics of Giambattista Della Porta (ca. 1535–1615): A Reassessment. Borrelli, A., Hon, G. & Zik, Y. (eds.). Springer Nature, p. 1-10 10 p. (Archimedes; vol. 44).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  6. Published

    Introduction: On the use of place

    Schneider, N. & Palmusaari, J., 31.10.2024, Possibilities of Place in Continental Thought: Critique, Politics, Philosophy. Palmusaari, J. & Schneider, N. (eds.). 1. ed. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc., p. 1-17 17 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  7. Published

    Introduction: Converging the Yet-Separate Theoretical Discourses of Testimony Studies

    Krämer, S. & Weigel, S., 2017, Testimony/Bearing Witness: Epistemology, Ethics, History, and Culture. Krämer, S. & Weigel, S. (eds.). London: Rowman & Littlefield International, p. IX-XII 4 p.

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

  8. Published

    Introduction: Modeling the Pacific Ocean

    Vehlken, S., Vagt, C. & Kittler, W., 20.05.2021, In: Media and Environment. 3, 2, 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearch

  9. Published

    Introduction to General Ecology: The Ecologization of Thinking

    Hörl, E. H. & Schott, N. F. (Translator), 05.2017, General Ecology: The New Ecological Paradigm. Hörl, E. & Burton, J. (eds.). London: Bloomsbury Academic, p. 1 – 75 75 p. (Theory).

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

  10. Published

    Introduction to Thinking the Problematic: Decentring as Method and Ethos

    Leistert, O. & Schrickel, I., 06.10.2020, Thinking the problematic: genealogies and explorations between philosophy and the sciences. Leistert, O. & Schrickel, I. (eds.). Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, p. 9-34 26 p. (Philosophy).

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