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 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

  2. Published

    The media arcane

    Beyes, T. & Pias, C., 01.05.2019, In: Grey Room. 75, Spring, p. 84-107 24 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    The Oxford Handbook of Media, Technology, and Organization Studies

    Beyes, T. (Editor), Holt, R. (Editor) & Pias, C. (Editor), 05.02.2020, Oxford: Oxford University Press. 538 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesTransfer

  4. Published

    Unterwachen und Schlafen: Einleitung

    Andreas, M., Kasprowicz, D. & Rieger, S., 2018, Unterwachen und Schlafen: Anthropophile Medien nach dem Interface. Andreas, M., Kasprowicz, D. & Rieger, S. (eds.). Lüneburg: meson press, p. 7-31 25 p.

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

  5. 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

  6. Published

    Pattern Discrimination

    Apprich, C., Kyong Chun, W. H., Cramer, F. & Steyerl, H., 2019, Lüneburg: meson press. 124 p. (In Search of Media Book Series)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  7. Published

    Geistesgeschichte der Technik: »Phantastisches von morgen« und die Höhenflüge des Tech-Kapitalismus — ein Erklärungsversuch

    Görlich, C., 2018, 10 Minuten Soziologie: Fakten. Gianna, B. & Anna, H. (eds.). Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, p. 133-146 14 p. (10 Minuten Soziologie; vol. 2).

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

  8. Published

    Resonating self-tracking practices? Empirical insights into theoretical reflections on a 'sociology of resonance'

    Kappler, K. E., Krzeminska, A. & Noji, E., 24.09.2018, Metric Culture: Ontologies of Self-Tracking Practices. Ajana, B. (ed.). Emerald Publishing Limited, p. 77-95 19 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  9. 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

  10. 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