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

    Bats in the Belfry: On the Relationship of Cybernetics and German Media Theory

    Müggenburg, J. K., 28.07.2017, In: Canadian Journal of Communication. 42, 3, p. 467 – 484 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    General Ecology: The New Ecological Paradigm

    Hörl, E. H. (Editor), 05.2017, 1 ed. London/New York: Bloomsbury Academic. 384 p. (Theory)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  3. Published

    Good Vibrations: Eine Geschichte der elektronischen Musikinstrumente

    Brilmayer, B. (Editor), Hardjowirogo, S.-I. (Editor) & Restle, C. (Editor), 18.04.2017, Berlin: Deutscher Kunstverlag. 168 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesExhibition cataloguesTransfer

  4. Published

    Between Drudgery and "Promesse du bonheur": Games and Gamification

    Fuchs, M., 10.02.2017, New Perspectives on the Social Aspects of Digital Gaming : Multiplayer 2. Kowert, R. & Quandt, T. (eds.). 1 ed. London, New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 185-199 15 p. (Routledge advances in game studies).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  5. Published

    Das Interface der Selbstverborgenheit: Szenarien des Intuitiven in Mensch-Roboter Kollaborationen

    Kasprowicz, D., 2018, Unterwachen und Schlafen: Anthropophile Medien nach dem Interface. Andreas, M., Kasprowicz, D. & Rieger, S. (eds.). Lüneburg: meson press, p. 159-186 26 p.

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

  6. 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

  7. Published

    Instrumentality: On the Construction of Instrumental Identity

    Hardjowirogo, S.-I., 2017, Musical Instruments in the 21st Century: Identities, Configurations, Practices. Bovermann, T., de Campo, A., Egermann, H., Hardjowirogo, S.-I. & Weinzierl, S. (eds.). Singapore: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland, p. 9-24 16 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  8. Accepted/In press

    Medien-Musikinstrumente

    Hardjowirogo, S.-I., 12.2027, Musik und Medien. Großmann, R. & Ungeheuer, E. (eds.). Laaber Verlag, (Kompendien Musik; vol. 15).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  9. Published

    Musical Instruments in the 21st Century: Identities, Configurations, Practices

    Bovermann, T. (Editor), de Campo, A. (Editor), Egermann, H. (Editor), Hardjowirogo, S.-I. (Editor) & Weinzierl, S. (Editor), 2017, Singapore: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland. 412 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  10. Published

    E-Mail als sozio-technisches Hybrid

    Siegert, P. F., 10.11.2016, Handbuch Soziale Praktiken und Digitale Alltagswelten. Friese, H., Rebane, G., Nolden, M. & Schreiter, M. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien, p. 1-9 9 p. (Springer Reference Sozialwissenschaften).

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