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

    Friedensbildlichkeit und Gesellschaftsbegriff zur Zeit der Romantik

    Spreen, D., 2006, "Der Friede ist keine leere Idee...": Bilder und Vorstellungen vom Frieden am Beginn der politischen Moderne. Kater, T. (ed.). Essen: Klartext Verlag, p. 135-156 21 p. (Frieden und Krieg; vol. 6).

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

  2. Published

    Menschliche Cyborgs und reflexive Moderne: Vom Jupiter zum Mars zur Erde – bis ins Innere des Körpers

    Spreen, D., 2004, Vernunft – Entwicklung – Leben: Schlüsselbegriffe der Moderne. Festschrift für Wolfgang Eßbach. Bröckling, U., Kaufmann, S. & Paul, A. T. (eds.). München: Wilhelm Fink Verlag, p. 317-346 29 p.

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

  3. Published

    Sabine Ritter: Facetten der Sarah Bartmann. Repräsentation und Rekonstruktionen der 'Hottentottenvenus'

    Stammberger, B., 01.10.2012, In: Soziologische Revue. 35, 4, p. 477-479 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsCritical reviewsResearch

  4. Published

    Der Cyborg: Diskurse zwischen Körper und Technik

    Spreen, D., 2010, Die Figur des Dritten: Ein kulturwissenschaftliches Paradigma. Eßlinger, E., Schlechtriemen, T., Schweitzer, D. & Zons, A. (eds.). Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, p. 166-179 13 p.

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

  5. Published

    Kurze Geschichte der Zeitmaschine: Eine etwas spekultative Beobachtung

    Spreen, D., 1999, In: Quarber Merkur. 36, 89/90, p. 111-116 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  6. Published

    Reichsflugscheiben und Wehrmachtsmythen: "Stahlfront" – rechtsextreme Unterhaltung als Science Fiction?

    Spreen, D., 2009, Das Science Fiction Jahr 2009. Mamczak, S. & Jeschke, W. (eds.). München: Heyne, p. 425-468 48 p. (Das Science Fiction Jahr).

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

  7. Published

    Kleine Massenmedien: Zum Verhältnis von produktiver Rezeption und massenkultureller Vergesellschaftung am Beispiel der Perry-Rhodan-Heftserie

    Spreen, D., 2003, Spurensuche im All. Bollhöfener, K., Farin, K. & Spreen, D. (eds.). Berlin: Archiv der Jugendkulturen Verlag , p. 86-106 21 p. (Perry Rhodan Studies).

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

  8. Published

    Die Konstitutionsfunktion des Krieges: Konstitutionstheoretische Zugänge zum Krieg in der deutschen Gegenwartssoziologie

    Spreen, D., 2010, Forschungsthema: Militär: militärische Organisationen im Spannungsfeld von Krieg, Gesellschaft und soldatischen Subjekten . Apelt, M. (ed.). Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, p. 49 - 86 37 p.

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

  9. Published

    Was bedeutet die Rede von Machtdispositiven?

    Spreen, D., 2010, In: Ästhetik & Kommunikation. 41, 151, p. 97-103 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  10. Published

    Kugelraumschiffe und andere runde Technologien

    Spreen, D., 2010, In: JUNI. Magazin für Literatur und Kultur. 43/44, p. 206-220 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer