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

    New Labor, Old Questions: Practices of Collaboration with Robots

    Kasprowicz, D., 2021, Connect and Divide: The Practice Turn in Media Studies. Schüttelpelz, E., Bergermann, U., Dommann, M., Stolow, J. & Taha, N. (eds.). Zürich: Diaphanes Verlag, p. 247-262 16 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Niels Werber, Ameisengesellschaften. Eine Faszinationsgeschichte, Frankfurt a.M.: Main: S.. Fischer 2013

    Vehlken, S., 02.06.2015, In: Berichte zur Wissenschaftsgeschichte. 38, 2, p. 196-197 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsCritical reviewsResearch

  3. Published

    Niklas Luhmann am OVG Lüneburg: Zur Entstehung der Systemtheorie

    Beyes, T. (Editor), Warnke, M. (Editor), Hagen, W. (Editor) & Pias, C. (Editor), 2021, Berlin: Duncker & Humblot GmbH. 136 p. (Soziologische Schriften (SOZS); vol. 86)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  4. Published

    Normalisierung und Ausschluss: Darstellungen nicht-heterosexuellen Verhaltens in Fahndungssendungen

    Pinseler, J., 2007, Heteronormativität: empirische Studien zu Geschlecht, Sexualität und Macht. Hartmann, J., Klesse, C., Wagenknecht, P., Fritzsche, B. & Hackmann, K. (eds.). Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, p. 219-235 17 p. (Studien interdisziplinäre Geschlechterforschung; vol. 10).

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

  5. Published

    Notation

    Großmann, R., 2002, Metzler Lexikon Medientheorie, Medienwissenschaft: Ansätze – Personen – Grundbegriffe. Schanze, H. (ed.). Stuttgart [u.a.]: J.B. Metzler, p. 277-279 3 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  6. E-pub ahead of print

    Not in the world: philosophy, anarchism and real alterity

    Schneider, N., 18.11.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Distinktion.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Notizen zum Interview

    Friedmann, R., Israel, U. & Pinseler, J., 2001, Zürich: Klipp & Klang Radiokurse. 32 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  8. Published

    Nun brat’ mir doch eine(r) einen Elch! Oder: zur Kritik der Kochkunst

    Warnke, M., 31.05.2023, Ins Bild kommen: Spielräume der Kunstkritik. Hosseini, A., Kipke, A., Kuhn, H. & Woisnitza, M. (eds.). Paderborn: Brill | Fink, p. 109-112 4 p.

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

  9. Published

    "Nur auf den ersten Blick ein ganz normaler Stadtpark": Konstruktionen von Normalität und Abweichung in Fahndungssendungen

    Pinseler, J., 2008, Medien - Diversität - Ungleichheit: Zur medialen Konstruktion sozialer Differenz. Wischermann, U. & Thomas, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, p. 69-86 18 p. (Medien - Kultur - Kommunikation).

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

  10. Published