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

    Medien – Krieg – Geschlecht: Affirmationen und Irritationen sozialer Ordnungen

    Thiele, M. (Editor), Thomas, T. (Editor) & Virchow, F. (Editor), 2010, Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. 363 p. (Medien - Kultur - Kommunikation)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  2. Published

    Medien, Krieg, Geschlecht: Anstöße zur Diskussion spannungsgeladener Relationen

    Thiele, M., Thomas, T. & Virchow, F., 2010, Medien – Krieg – Geschlecht: Affirmationen und Irritationen sozialer Ordnungen. Thiele, M., Thomas, T. & Virchow, F. (eds.). Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, p. 9-18 10 p. (Medien - Kultur - Kommunikation).

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

  3. Published

    Medien, Krieg, Geschlecht: Dimensionen eines Zusammenhangs

    Virchow, F., Thomas, T. & Thiele, M., 2010, Medien – Krieg – Geschlecht: Affirmationen und Irritationen sozialer Ordnungen. Thiele, M., Thomas, T. & Virchow, F. (eds.). Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, p. 19-44 26 p. (Medien - Kultur - Kommunikation).

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

  4. Published

    Medienkultur und soziales Handeln

    Thomas, T. (Editor), 2008, 1. ed. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. 321 p. (Medien - Kultur - Kommunikation)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  5. Published

    Medienkultur und soziales Handeln: Begriffsarbeiten zur Theorieentwicklung

    Thomas, T. & Krotz, F., 2008, Medienkultur und soziales Handeln. Thomas, T. (ed.). Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, p. 17-42 26 p. (Medien - Kultur - Kommunikation).

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

  6. Accepted/In press

    Medien-Musikinstrumente

    Hardjowirogo, S.-I., 12.2027, Musik und Medien. Großmann, R. & Ungeheuer, E. (eds.). Laaber Verlag, (Kompendien Musik; vol. 15).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  7. Published

    Medienökonomien. Einleitung in den Schwerpunkt

    Dommann, M., Hediger, V. & Hoof, F., 01.03.2018, In: Zeitschrift für Medienwissenschaft. 10, 18-1, p. 8-17 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Medienreflexe, Technologie und Medienkritik in den Arbeiten Tilman Küntzels

    Großmann, R., 2002, Strukturgeneratoren und andere Allegorien. Küntzel, T., Fricke, S. & Barthelmes, B. (eds.). Saarbrücken: Pfau Verlag, p. 53-63 11 p.

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

  9. Published

    Medienreflexion in der Musik im Anschluss an John Cage

    Großmann, R., 2012, Cage & Consequences. Schröder, J. H. & Straebel, V. (eds.). Hofheim: wolke verlag, p. 35-45 10 p.

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

  10. Published

    Medien(t)räume: Einleitung zu dem Sammelband »Soziologie der Hypermoderne«, Neu-Paderborn 2153

    Spreen, D., 2013, Das Medium meiner Träume: Hartmut Winkler zum 60. Geburtstag. Adelmann, R. & Bergermann, U. (eds.). Berlin: Verbrecher Verlag, p. 207-216 9 p.

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