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. Journal articles › Research › Peer-reviewed
  2. Published

    Modeling normativity in sustainability: a comparison of the sustainable development goals, the Paris agreement, and the papal encyclical

    Schmieg, G., Meyer, E., Schrickel, I., Herberg, J., Caniglia, G., Vilsmaier, U., Laubichler, M., Hörl, E. & Lang, D., 01.05.2018, In: Sustainability Science. 13, 3, p. 785-796 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Modulation After Control

    Hui, Y., 11.2015, In: New Formations. 84-85, p. 74-91 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Mysterium? Mysteria!

    Bachmann, G., 2014, In: Zeitschrift für Kulturwissenschaften. 8, 2, p. 123–126 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    On cosmotechnics: For a renewed relaton between technology and nature in the anthropocene

    Hui, Y., 2017, In: Techne: Research in Philosophy and Technology. 21, 2-3, p. 319-341 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    On Economic Anarchy: Originary Practice and The Discordance of Times

    Schneider, N., 09.2024, In: Philosophy Today. 68, 4, p. 785-800 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    On the Difficulty of Forgetting: Recollections of the Basel Symposium on Chantal Akerman

    Kuhn, E. & Holl, U., 01.05.2019, In: Camera Obscura. 34, 1, p. 163-183 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    On the Epistemology of Computer Simulation

    Pias, C., 2011, In: Zeitschrift für Medien- und Kulturforschung. 2, 1, p. 29-54 26 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    On the Soul of Technical Objects: Commentary on Simondon’s ‘Technics and Eschatology’ (1972)

    Hui, Y., 01.11.2018, In: Theory, Culture & Society. 35, 6, p. 97-111 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Operative communication: project Cybersyn and the intersection of information design, interface design, and interaction design

    Vehlken, S., 09.2022, In: AI and Society. 37, 3, p. 1131-1152 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Pervasive Intelligence: The Tempo-Spatiality of Drone Swarms

    Vehlken, S., 22.08.2018, In: Digital Culture & Society. 4, 1, p. 107-132 26 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review