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

    Transparenz und Geheimnis

    Beyes, T. & Pias, C., 2014, In: Zeitschrift für Kulturwissenschaften. 8, 2, p. 111-117 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Treffen der Generationen: ELIZA meets Siri

    Sander, P., 03.12.2018, Hello, I'm Eliza: Fünfzig Jahre Gespräche mit Computern. Höltgen, S. & Höltgen, S. (eds.). Bochum/Freiburg: Projekt Verlag, p. 258-259 2 p. (Computerarchäologie; vol. 4).

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

  3. Published

    Trick 17: Mediengeschichten zwischen Zauberkunst und Wissenschaft

    Vehlken, S. (Editor), Müller-Helle, K. (Editor), Müggenburg, J. K. (Editor) & Sprenger, F. (Editor), 2016, Norderstedt: meson press. 118 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  4. Published

    Trick 17 zur Einführung

    Vehlken, S., Müggenburg, J. K., Sprenger, F. & Müller-Helle, K., 2016, Trick 17: Mediengeschichten zwischen Zauberkunst und Wissenschaft. Vehlken, S., Müller-Helle, K., Müggenburg, J. & Sprenger, F. (eds.). Lüneburg: meson press, p. 7-14 8 p.

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

  5. Published

    Trickkisten: Heinz von Foerster und der Zauber der Kybernetik

    Müggenburg, J. K., 2016, Trick 17 : Mediengeschichten zwischen Zauberkunst und Wissenschaft. Vehlken, S., Müller-Helle, K., Müggenburg, J. & Sprenger, F. (eds.). Norderstedt: meson press, p. 59-84 26 p.

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

  6. Published

    Tristan Garcia, Form and Object: A Treaty of Things

    Hui, Y., 08.2016, In: Journal for Visual Culture. 15, 2, p. 288-292 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsCritical reviewsResearch

  7. Published

    Truth in testimony: Or can a documentary film ‘bear witness’? Some reflections on the difference between discursive and existential truth

    Krämer, S., 07.12.2016, In the Beginning was the Image: The Omnipresence of Pictures: Time, Truth, Tradition. Benedek, A. & Veszelszki, Á. (eds.). Frankfurt: Peter Lang Verlag, p. 29-39 11 p. (Visual learning; vol. 6).

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

  8. Published

    Turing-Medien

    Warnke, M., 2002, Die Politik der Maschine: Computer Odyssee 2001. Böhme, H. & Dencker, K. P. (eds.). Hamburg: Hans-Bredow-Institut für Medienforschung an der Universität Hamburg, p. 372-382 11 p. (Interface; vol. 5).

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

  9. Published

    Über Britta Schinzels intellektuelle Reisen, den Epistemischen Vorteil und ihre Kunst der Doppelstütze

    Warnke, M., 2008, Kaleidoskop – Festschrift für Prof. Dr. Britta Schinzel. Freiburg: Institut für Informatik und Gesellschaft der Universität Freiburg, p. 86-87 2 p.

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

  10. Published

    Über die allmähliche Verfertigung des Selbst beim Schreiben: Marica Bodrožićs literarische Arbeiten als autopoietische Praxis

    Gräfe, A., 01.11.2025, In: Kulturwissenschaftliche Zeitschrift. 2025, 2, p. 47-67 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review