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. Monographs › Research › Not peer-reviewed
  2. Published

    Neighborhood Technologies: Media and Mathematics of Dynamic Networks

    Vehlken, S. (Editor) & Harks, T. (Editor), 15.04.2015, Zürich/ Berlin: Diaphanes Verlag. 240 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  3. 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

  4. Published

    Sicht von oben: Powers of Ten und Bildpolitiken der Vertikalität

    Tollmann, V., 03.2022, Leipzig: Spector Books. 358 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  5. Published

    Theorien des Internet zur Einführung

    Warnke, M., 2011, Hamburg: Junius Verlag . 192 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  6. Published

    The Question Concerning Technology in China: An Essay in Cosmotechnics

    Hui, Y., 2016, Falmouth: Urbanomic. 346 p. (Mono)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  7. Published

    Zootechnologien: Eine Mediengeschichte der Schwarmforschung

    Vehlken, S., 17.04.2012, Zürich: Diaphanes Verlag. 448 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  8. Conference proceedings › Transfer
  9. Published

    Media Organize: A Companion to Technological Objects

    Conrad, L. (Editor), Beyes, T. (Editor), Beverungen, A. (Editor), Pias, C. (Editor), Denny, S. (Editor) & Steinbrügge, B. (Editor), 2021, Hamburg: Kunstverein in Hamburg. 196 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesConference proceedingsTransfer

  10. Conference proceedings › Research
  11. Published

    Kontrolle durch Transparenz - Transparenz durch Kontrolle: Materialsammlung zur Tagung des Fachbereichs Informatik und Gesellschaft der GI e.V., 27. bis 29. April 2007

    Warnke, M. (Editor) & Weber-Wulff, D. (Editor), 2008, Berlin: Pro BUSINESS Verlag. 143 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesConference proceedingsResearch

  12. Published

    Proceedings SMC 2016: 31.8.2016, Hamburg, Germany

    Großmann, R. (Editor) & Hajdu, G. (Editor), 31.08.2016, Hamburg: Zentrum für Mikrotonale Musik und Multimediale Komposition (ZM4). 513 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesConference proceedingsResearch

  13. Published

    Reichweitenangst: Batterien und Akkus als Medien des Digitalen Zeitalters

    Müggenburg, J. (Editor), 2022, Bielefeld: transcript Verlag. 295 p. (Digitale Gesellschaft; vol. 28)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesConference proceedingsResearch

  14. Published

    Transactions of the Digital Games Research Association: DiGRA

    Björk, S. (Editor) & Fuchs, M. (Editor), 01.11.2016, Pittsburgh: ETC Press. 261 p. (ToDiGRA; vol. 2, no. 3)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesConference proceedingsResearch

  15. Compendium/lecture notes › Transfer
  16. Published

    Das Unwort erklärt die Untat: Die Berichterstattung über die NSU-Morde – eine Medienkritik; Eine Studie der Otto Brenner Stiftung

    Virchow, F., Thomas, T. & Grittmann, E., 2015, Frankfurt: Otto Brenner Stiftung. 95 p. (OBS-Arbeitsheft; vol. 79)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCompendium/lecture notesTransfer

  17. Collected editions and anthologies › Transfer
  18. Published

    Critique and the Digital

    Hörl, E. (Editor), Pinkrah, N. Y. (Editor) & Warnsholdt, C. L. (Editor), 2021, Zürich/Berlin: Diaphanes Verlag. 296 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesTransfer

  19. Published

    Denk mal! 2016

    Pfaller, R., Horn, E., Klein, S., Bernard, A. & Rammler, S., 2015, Frankfurt am Mainz: S. Fischer Verlag. 268 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesTransfer

  20. Published

    Gespenster des Wissens

    Holl, U. (Editor), Pias, C. (Editor) & Wolf, B. (Editor), 2017, Zürich: Diaphanes Verlag. 440 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesTransfer

  21. Published

    Hermann Bahr – Österreichischer Kritiker europäischer Avantgarden

    Müller, M. A. (Editor), Pias, C. (Editor) & Schnödl, G. (Editor), 2014, Frankfurt: Peter Lang Verlag. 214 p. (Jahrbuch für Internationale Germanistik; vol. 118)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesTransfer

  22. Published

    Liquidity, Flows, Circulation: The Cultural Logic of Environmentalization

    Denecke, M. (Editor), Kuhn, H. (Editor) & Stürmer, M. (Editor), 01.2023, Diaphanes Verlag. 360 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesTransfer

  23. Published

    The Oxford Handbook on Media, Technology and Organization Studies

    Beyes, T. (Editor), Holt, R. (Editor) & Pias, C. (Editor), 12.12.2019, Oxford: Oxford University Press. 560 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesTransfer

  24. Published

    Ungleich mächtig: Das Gendering von Führungspersonen aus Politik, Wirtschaft und Wissenschaft in der Medienkommunikation

    Lünenborg, M. & Röser, J., 2012, transcript Verlag. 270 p. (Critical Media Studies)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesTransfer

  25. Collected editions and anthologies › Research
  26. Published

    30 Years After Les Immatériaux: Art Science & Theory

    Broeckmann, A. (Editor) & Hui, Y. (Editor), 2015, 1. ed. Lüneburg: meson press. 245 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  27. Published

    Alltag in den Medien - Medien im Alltag

    Röser, J. (Editor), Thomas, T. (Editor) & Peil, C. (Editor), 2010, 1 ed. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. 317 p. (Medien - Kultur - Kommunikation)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  28. Published

    Anna Oppermann in der Hamburger Kunsthalle: "Öl auf Leinwand", "MKÜVO (Mach kleine , überschaubare, verkäufliche Objekte!)", "MKÜVO-Fensterecke"

    Pias, C., Warnke, M. (Editor) & Schneede, U. M. (Editor), 2004, Hamburg: Hamburger Kunsthalle . 47 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  29. Published

    Anstand

    Metelmann, J. (Editor) & Beyes, T. (Editor), 2011, Berlin: Berlin University Press. 177 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  30. Published

    Banal militarism: zur Veralltäglichung des Militärischen im Zivilen

    Thomas, T. (Editor) & Virchow, F. (Editor), 31.12.2006, Bielefeld: transcript Verlag. 432 p. (Cultural Studies; vol. 13)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  31. Published

    Communication

    Bialski, P., Brunton, F. & Bunz, M., 2019, Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. 126 p. (In Search of Media )

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  32. Published

    Computerspiele

    Hickethier, K. (Editor), Neitzel, B. (Editor) & Spreen, D. (Editor), 2001, Berlin: Ästhetik & Kommunikation e.V. 126 p. (Ästhetik & Kommunikation; vol. 32, no. 115)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  33. Published

    Cybernetics: The Macy Conferences 1946-1953. The Complete Transactions

    Pias, C. (Editor), 03.2016, Zurich: Diaphanes Verlag. 736 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  34. Published

    Dekonstruktion und Evidenz: Ver(un)sicherungen in Medienkulturen

    Thomas, T. (Editor), Hobuß, S. (Editor), Kruse, M.-M. (Editor) & Hennig, I. (Editor), 2011, Königstein/Taunus: Ulrike Helmer Verlag. 292 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  35. Published

    Die Macht der Gefühle: Emotionen in Management, Organisation und Kultur

    Metelmann, J. (Editor) & Beyes, T. (Editor), 2012, Berlin: Berlin University Press. 211 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  36. Published

    Die totale Produktion: Technik, Kapital und die Logik der Unendlichkeit

    Granel, G., Hörl, E. (Editor) & Strack, L. (Translator), 04.2020, Wien: Verlag Turia + Kant. 279 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  37. 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

  38. Published

    Disrupting Business: Art and Activism in times of financial crisis

    Cox, G. (Editor) & Bazzichelli, T. (Editor), 2013, New York City: Autonomedia. 256 p. (DATA browser)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  39. Published

    Diversity of Play

    Fuchs, M. (Editor), 01.06.2015, Lüneburg: meson press. 111 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  40. 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

  41. Published

    Geschichtsphilosophie nach der Geschichtsphilosophie? Perspektiven der Kulturgeschichte im Ausgang von Heinz Dieter Kittsteiner

    Blänkner, R. (Editor), Schmieder, F. (Editor), Voller, C. (Editor) & Wagner, J. (Editor), 27.07.2021, Bielefeld: transcript Verlag. 346 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  42. Published

    Hamburg Maschine_revisited: Artistic and Critical Investigations into Our Digital Condition

    Kohlhuber , I. (Editor) & Leistert, O. (Editor), 04.2022, Hamburg: adocs. 436 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  43. Published

    HyperKult: Geschichte, Theorie und Kontext digitaler Medien

    Warnke, M. (Editor), Coy, W. (Editor) & Tholen, G. C. (Editor), 1997, Basel: Stroemfeld. 520 p. (Nexus; no. 41)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  44. Published

    HyperKult II: zur Ortsbestimmung analoger und digitaler Medien

    Warnke, M. (Editor), Coy, W. (Editor) & Tholen, G. C. (Editor), 2005, Bielefeld: transcript Verlag. 378 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  45. Published

    Interferences and Events: On Epistemic Shifts in Physics through Computer Simulations

    Dippel, A. (Editor) & Warnke, M. (Editor), 2017, Lüneburg: meson press. 182 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  46. Published

    Internet der Dinge: Über smarte Objekte, intelligente Umgebungen und die technische Durchdringung der Welt

    Engemann, C. (Editor) & Sprenger, F. (Editor), 2015, Bielefeld: transcript Verlag. 400 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  47. Published

    Kittler

    Hurka, H. M. (Editor) & Spreen, D. (Editor), 2013, 1. ed. Berlin: Ästhetik & Kommunikation e.V. 238 p. (Ästhetik & Kommunikation; vol. 158/159)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  48. Published

    Körper - Medien - Geschlecht: Diskursivierungen von Materialität. Festschrift für Hannelore Bublitz

    Riegraf, B. (Editor), Spreen, D. (Editor) & Mehlmann, S. (Editor), 2012, 1. ed. Bielefeld: transcript Verlag. 287 p. (Sozialtheorie)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  49. Published

    Kriegsvergessenheit in der Mediengesellschaft

    Spreen, D. (Editor) & Galling-Stiehler, A. (Editor), 2011, 1. ed. Berlin: Ästhetik & Kommunikation e.V. 205 p. (Ästhetik & Kommunikation; vol. 152/153)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  50. Published

    Krieg und Zivilgesellschaft

    Spreen, D. (Editor) & von Trotha, T. (Editor), 2012, Berlin: Duncker & Humblot GmbH. 440 p. (Soziologische Schriften; vol. 84)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  51. Published

    Kritik postdigital

    Hille, L. (Editor) & Wentz, D. (Editor), 2023, Lüneburg: meson press. 140 p. (Digital Cultures Series)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  52. Accepted/In press

    Kulturfreie Bilder: Erfindungen der Voraussetzungslosigkeit

    Pias, C. (Editor), 29.05.2013, (Accepted/In press) 1 ed. Berlin: Kulturverlag Kadmos . 215 p. (Copyrights; no. 19)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  53. Published

    MedienAlltag: Domestizierungsprozesse alter und neuer Medien

    Röser, J. (Editor), 2007, 1. Aufl. ed. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. 237 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  54. Published

    Medien - Diversität - Ungleichheit: zur medialen Konstruktion sozialer Differenz

    Wischermann, U. (Editor) & Thomas, T. (Editor), 2008, 1. ed. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. 284 p. (Medien - Kultur - Kommunikation)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  55. Published

    Medienidentitäten: Identität im Kontext von Globalisierung und Medienkultur

    Winter, C. & Thomas, T. (Editor), 2003, Köln: Herbert von Halem Verlag. 400 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  56. Published

    Medien – Krieg – Geschlecht: Affirmationen und Irritationen sozialer Ordnungen

    Thiele, M. (Editor), Thomas, T. (Editor) & Virchow, F. (Editor), 2010, Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. 363 p. (Medien - Kultur - Kommunikation)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch