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

    Visibility, Voice and Encounter in Cosmopolitan Online Communication. Rethinking Cultural Citizenship in Post-Migrant Societies

    Grittmann, E. & Thomas, T., 2018, (Mis)Understanding Political Participation: Digital Practices, New Forms of Participation and the Renewal of Democracy. Wimmer, J., Wallner, C., Winter, R. & Oelsner, K. (eds.). 1 ed. New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 213-228 16 p. (Routledge Studies in European Communication Research and Education Serie).

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

  2. Published

    From Pity to Control: Regulated Humanitarianism in German Media Coverage of Refugees and Asylum

    Grittmann, E., 2018, The Routledge Companion to Media and Humanitarian Action. Andersen, R. & de Silva, P. L. (eds.). New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 90-101 12 p.

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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Published

    Reflexitvität und System. Die Debatte über Ordnung und Selbstorganisation in den 1970er Jahren“

    Esposito, E. & Hörl, E., 16.06.2015, In: Trivium. 20, p. 2-7 6 p., 1.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    The Anthropocenic Illusion: Sustainability an the Fascination of Control.

    Hörl, E., 2015, Art in the Periphery of the Center. Wuggenig, U., Behnke, C., Knoll, V. & Kastelan, C. (eds.). Berlin: Sternberg Press, p. 352-368 17 p.

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

  7. Published

    The technological condition

    Hörl, E. & Enns, A. (Translator), 2015, In: Parrhesia : a Journal of Critical Philosophy. 22, p. 1-15 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  8. Published

    Subversive Gamification

    Fuchs, M., 27.02.2018, Playful Subversion of Technoculture. Cermak-Sassenrath, D. (ed.). Singapore: Springer Verlag, p. 198 - 208 11 p. (Gaming Media and Social Effects).

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

  9. Published

    Die Farm der Daten: Über den Auszug des Digitalen ins Grüne

    Engemann, C., 2015, In: Zeitschrift für Ideengeschichte. 9, 2, p. 47-52 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  10. Published

    Die Adresse des freien Bürgers: Digitale Identitätssysteme Deutschlands und der USA im Vergleich

    Engemann, C., 2015, In: Leviathan, Berliner Zeitschrift für Sozialwissenschaft. 43, 1, p. 43-63 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review