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

    Stille, Geräusch, Rauschen: Ästhetische und medientechnische Anmerkungen

    Großmann, R., 06.12.2018, In: Texte zur Kunst. 28. Jg., 112, p. 30-45 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Sacred Channels: The Archaic Illusion of Communication

    Hörl, E. & Schott, N. F. (Translator), 01.10.2018, Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. 344 p. (Recursions)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  3. Published

    Delfinesisch für Anfänger. John C. Lilly und das JANUS-Projekt

    Müggenburg, J., 2018, Zwitschern, Bellen, Röhren.: Tierlaute in der Wissens-, Medientechnik- und Musikgeschichte. Sommer, M. & Reimann, D. (eds.). Berlin: Neofelis Verlag, p. 145-165 20 p.

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

  4. Published

    Vom Wahn- und Wahrsprechen des technologisch Unbewussten

    Apprich, C., 01.01.2018, In: Le Foucaldien. 4, 1, 20 p., 7.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. 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

  6. Published

    Dynamicland: Ein Ethnographie der Arbeit am Medium

    Bachmann, G., 2018, In: Österreichische Zeitschrift für Volkskunde. 114, 1, p. 29-50 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Utopian Hacks

    Bachmann, G., 08.2017, Limn Number 8: Hacks, Leaks, and Breaches. Coleman, E. G. & Kelty, C. M. (eds.). CreateSpace Independent Publishing, Vol. 8. p. 96-101 6 p. (Limn; no. 8).

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

  8. 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

  9. Published

    The Social Productivity of Anonymity: Special Issue of Ephemera Journal

    Bachmann, G. (Editor), Knecht, M. (Editor) & Wittel, A. (Editor), 2017, 2 ed. Warwick Business School. (Ephemera: Theory & Politics in Organization; vol. 17, no. 2)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueResearch

  10. Published

    The social productivity of anonymity: An introduction

    Bachmann, G., Knecht, M. & Wittel, A., 2017, In: Ephemera: Theory & Politics in Organization. 17, 2, p. 241-258 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research