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

    Digitale Medientechnologien: Vergangenheit – Gegenwart – Zukunft

    Hartmann, M. (Editor) & Wimmer, J. (Editor), 2011, Wiesbaden: Springer VS. 218 p. (Medien - Kultur - Kommunikation)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  2. Published

    Digitale Kulturen und Kritik nach ihrem Ende

    Hille, L. & Wentz, D., 2023, Kritik postdigital. Hille, L. & Wentz, D. (eds.). Lüneburg: meson press, p. 9-20 12 p. (Digital Cultures Series).

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

  3. Published

    Digitale Kulturen

    Bernard, A., Beyes, T. & Pias, C., 2018, Die Rolle der Universität in Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft im Wandel. Henkel, A., Hobuß, S., Jamme, C. & Wuggenig, U. (eds.). 1 ed. Berlin: Pro BUSINESS Verlag, p. 167-170 4 p.

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

  4. Published

    Digitale Archive

    Warnke, M., 2002, Interarchive: Archivarische Praktiken und Handlungsräume im zeitgenössischen Kunstfeld. Bismarck, B., Feldmann, H.-P., Wuggenig, U., Obrist, H.-U. & Stoller, D. (eds.). Köln: Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther König, p. 200-204 5 p.

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

  5. Published

    Digitale Archive

    Warnke, M., 2002, Archivprozesse: die Kommunikation der Aufbewahrung. Pompe, H. & Scholz, L. (eds.). Köln: DuMont Literatur und Kunst Verlag, p. 269-281 13 p. (Mediologie; vol. 5).

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

  6. Published

    Diffusion und Teilhabe durch Domestizierung. Zugänge zum Internet im Wandel 1997-2007

    Röser, J. & Peil, C., 01.01.2010, In: Medien & Kommunikationswissenschaft. 58, 4, p. 481-502 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Die Zeit die aus der Kälte kam

    Pias, C., 05.12.2015, Exploring Cybernetics : Kybernetik im interdisziplinären Diskurs. Jeschke, S., Schmitt, R. & Dröge, A. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden, p. 227-236 10 p.

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

  8. Published

    Die vier Verschiebungen des Blicks

    Berz, P., 2005, Blickzähmung und Augentäuschung: zu Jacques Lacans Bildtheorie. Blümle, C. & von der Heiden, A. (eds.). Zürich: Diaphanes Verlag, p. 183-216 34 p.

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

  9. Published

    Die 'Unternehmerin ihrer selbst' im Reality TV: Geschlechtsspezifische Anrufungen und Aushandlungen in Germany's next Topmodel

    Stehling, M., 2011, Dekonstruktion und Evidenz: Ver(un)sicherungen in Medienkulturen. Thomas, T., Hobuß, S., Kruse, M.-M. & Hennig, I. (eds.). Sulzbach/Taunus: Ulrike Helmer Verlag, p. 112-130

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

  10. Published

    Die unsichtbare Stadt: Überlegungen zu einer erfinderischen Pädagogik

    Beyes, T., 2010, Stadt als Bühne: Szenische Eingriffe in einen Stadtkörper ; ein Praxisbuch angewandter Wissenschaft. Riklin, M. & Ingold, S. (eds.). Rorschach: Schwan-Verlag, p. 241-254 15 p.

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