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

    WhatsApp und das prozessuale Interface: Zur Neugestaltung von Smartphone-Kollektiven.

    Denecke, M. & Otto, I., 2013, In: Sprache und Literatur. 44, 1, p. 14-29 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Foul Play in Context: Cardsharps and Spoilsports

    Fuchs, M., 2013, Context Matters!: Exploring and Reframing Games and Play in Context. Mitgutsch, K., Huber, S., Rosenstingl, H., Wagner, M. & Wimmer, J. (eds.). Wien: New Academic Press, p. 76 - 88 13 p.

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

  3. Published

    Bewegte Spiele: Zur Verschiebung des Verhältnisses von Spiel und Alltagswelt durch mobile Games

    Schrape, N. & Fuchs, M., 2013, In: Sprache und Literatur. 44, 1, p. 69-83 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published
  5. Published

    Zukunft schreiben: Science Fiction und andere Zeitmaschinen

    Hickethier, K. & Spreen, D., 1999, Berlin: Ästhetik & Kommunikation e.V. 124 p. (Ästhetik & Kommunikation; vol. 104)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueResearch

  6. Published

    Online-Verstrickungen: Immanenzen und Ambivalenzen

    Spreen, D. (Editor), 1997, 1 ed. Berlin: Ästhetik & Kommunikation e.V. 125 p. (Ästhetik & Kommunikation; vol. 26, no. 96)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueResearch

  7. Published

    Krieg in der Zivilgesellschaft: Zur Problematik der Rede vom permanenten Ausnahmezustand

    Spreen, D., 2008, In: Ästhetik & Kommunikation. 39, 140/141, p. 199-208 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  8. Published

    Weltnomos der Zivilgesellschaft und Normalisierung des Krieges

    Spreen, D., 2008, Gewalt und Präzision: Krieg und Sicherheit in Zeiten des War on Terror. Stüzl, W. & Wallnöfer, D. (eds.). Wien: Verlag Turia + Kant, p. 79-98 20 p.

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

  9. Published

    Krieg in der Zivilgesellschaft

    Spreen, D., 2008, In: Erwägen, Wissen, Ethik. 19, 1, p. 112-115 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  10. Published

    Die Schönheit des Sozialen: Krieg, Medien und Gesellschaft zu Beginn des 19. Jahrhunderts

    Spreen, D., 2003, Entstaatlichung und Soziale Sicherheit: Verhandlungen des 31. Kongresses der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Soziologie in Leipzig 2002. Allmendinger, J. (ed.). Opladen: Verlag Leske + Budrich, Vol. 2. p. 753-769 16 p.

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