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. Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research › Peer-reviewed
  2. Published

    Art, Aesthetics and Organization

    Beyes, T., 26.08.2016, A Research Agenda for Management and Organization Studies. Czarniawska, B. (ed.). 1 ed. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 115-125 11 p. (Elgar research agendas).

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

  3. Published

    Ästhetik des Digitalen

    Warnke, M., 2011, Kultur digital: Begriffe, Hintergründe, Beispiele. Graber, H., Landwehr, D. & Sellier, V. (eds.). Basel: Christoph Merian Verlag, p. 145-160 16 p.

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

  4. Published

    As You Like It: Critique in the Era of an Affirmative Discourse

    Bunz, M., 04.2013, Unlike Us Reader: Social Media Monopolies and Their Alternatives. Lovink, G. & Rasch, M. (eds.). Amsterdam: Institute of Network Cultures, Vol. 8. p. 137-145 (Inc Reader).

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

  5. Published

    Beating Time: Futuristische Geschichten und vergangene Zukünfte der Drum-Machine

    Pelleter, M., 2017, Good Vibrations: Eine Geschichte der elektronischen Musikinstrumente. Restle, C., Brillmaier, B. & Hardjowirogo, S.-I. (eds.). Berlin: Deutscher Kunstverlag, p. 41-45 5 p.

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

  6. Published

    Becoming-Environmental: Toward a Critique of Environmentality as Power-Form, World-Form, and Capital-Form

    Hörl, E., 2020, Hybrid Ecologies. Witzgall, S., Kesting, M., Muhle, M. & Nachtigall, J. (eds.). Zürich: Diaphanes Verlag, p. 197-208 12 p.

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

  7. Published

    Between Recognition and Abstraction: Early Vocational Training Films

    Hoof, F., 22.03.2018, The Image in Early Cinema: Form and Material. Curtis, S., Gunning, T., Gauthier, P. & Yumibe, J. (eds.). Indiana University Press, p. 111-119 9 p. (The Image in Early Cinema).

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

  8. Published

    Between Risk, Beauty and the Sublime: The Visualization of Climate Change in Media Coverage during COP 15 in Copenhagen 2009

    Grittmann, E., 03.2014, Image politics of climate change: visualizations, imaginations, documentations. Schneider, B. & Noske, T. (eds.). Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, p. 127-153 27 p. ( Image; vol. 55).

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

  9. Published

    Between the Front Lines: Vocational Training Films, Machine Guns and the Great War

    Hoof, F., 09.2018, Cinema's Military Industrial Complex. Wasson, H. & Grieveson, L. (eds.). Berkeley: University of California Press, p. 177-191 15 p.

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

  10. Published

    Binary Random Nets I: Ein Tiroler Gerücht

    Berz, P., 2012, Spielregeln. 25 Aufstellungen: Eine Festschrift für Wolfgang Pircher. Berz, P., Kubaczek, M., Laquièze-Waniek, E. & Unterholzner, D. (eds.). Berlin/Zürich: Diaphanes Verlag, p. 25-40 16 p.

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

  11. Published

    Binary Random Nets II: Amerikanische Kombinationen

    Berz, P., 2012, Spielregeln. 25 Aufstellungen: Eine Festschrift für Wolfgang Pircher. Berz, P., Kubaczek, M., Laquièze-Waniek, E. & Unterholzner, D. (eds.). Berlin/Zürich: Diaphanes Verlag, p. 343-359 17 p.

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