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

    Script and sound: reflections on the creative function of visualization and spatiali-zation for time-bounded processes like speech and music.

    Krämer, S., 2016, Danish Musicology Online Special Edition, 2016: Word and Music Studies – New paths, new methods. Wierod, L., KKjær Lønneker, A. M., Borcak, F. & Larsen, C. V. (eds.). Dansk Musikforskning Online, p. 14-24 11 p. (Danish Musicology Online ; vol. Special Edition 2016).

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

  2. Published

    Secret Agents: A Psychoanalytic Critique of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

    Apprich, C., 27.07.2018, In: Digital Culture & Society. 4, 1, p. 29-44 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. 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

  4. Published

    Sensory Engineering: Affects and the Mechanics of Musical Time

    Großmann, R., 2014, Timing of Affect: Epistemologies, Aesthetics, Politics. Angerer, M.-L., Bösel, B. & Ott, M. (eds.). Zürich: Diaphanes Verlag, p. 191-205 15 p.

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

  5. Published

    Should we really ‘hermeneutise’ the Digital Humanities? A plea for the epistemic productivity of a ‘cultural technique of flattening’ in the Humanities.

    Krämer, S., 30.01.2023, In: Journal of Cultural Analytics. 7, 4, 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Showtime für das "unternehmerische Selbst" - Reflexionen über Reality-TV als Vergesellschaftungsmodus

    Thomas, T., 2007, Mediennutzung, Identität und Identifikationen: die Sozialisationsrelevanz der Medien im Selbstfindungsprozess von Jugendlichen. Mikos, L. (ed.). Weinheim: Juventa Verlag, p. 51-65 15 p.

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

  7. Published

    Sicht von oben: Powers of Ten und Bildpolitiken der Vertikalität

    Tollmann, V., 03.2022, Leipzig: Spector Books. 358 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  8. Published

    "sie wird ja nicht ausgebürgert, die deutsche Currywurst" - Talkshows, nationale Identitätsangebote und methodische Überlegungen zu ihrer Analyse

    Thomas, T., 2003, Medienidentitäten: Identität im Kontext von Globalisierung und Medienkultur. Winter, C., Thomas, T. & Hepp, A. (eds.). Köln: Herbert von Halem Verlag, p. 184-205 22 p.

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

  9. Published

    Signal, Material, Sampling: zur ästhetischen Aneignung medientechnischer Übertragung

    Großmann, R., 2004, Übertragung - Transfer - Metapher: Kulturtechniken, ihre Visionen und Obsessionen. Sanio , S. & Scheib , C. (eds.). Bielefeld: Kerber Verlag, p. 91-110 20 p.

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

  10. Published

    Silicon Valley

    Bachmann, G., 2017, Nach der Revolution: ein Brevier digitaler Kulturen. Beyes, T., Pias, C. & Mentelmann, J. (eds.). Berlin: Tempus Corporate GmbH, p. 65-76 12 p.

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