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. 2010
  2. Published

    Die Sicherheit der Weltgesellschaft: Zur politischen Konstitution von Gesellschaft

    Spreen, D., 2010, Wege der Sicherheitsgesellschaft: Gesellschaftliche Transformationen der Konstruktion und Regulierung innerer Unsicherheiten. Groenemeyer, A. (ed.). Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, p. 192-229 37 p.

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

  3. Published

    Die unsichtbare Stadt: Überlegungen zu einer erfinderischen Pädagogik

    Beyes, T., 2010, Stadt als Bühne: Szenische Eingriffe in einen Stadtkörper ; ein Praxisbuch angewandter Wissenschaft. Riklin, M. & Ingold, S. (eds.). Rorschach: Schwan-Verlag, p. 241-254 15 p.

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

  4. Published

    Distanzierte Verhältnisse? Zur Musikinstrumentalisierung der Reproduktionsmedien

    Großmann, R., 2010, Klang (ohne) Körper: Spuren und Potenziale des Körpers in der elektronischen Musik. Harenberg, M. & Weissberg, D. (eds.). Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, p. 183-200 18 p.

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

  5. Published

    "Dis wo ich herkomm" - Ver(un)sicherungen nationaler Identität in Texten aktueller deutschsprachiger Popmusik

    Kruse, M.-M., 2010, In: Samples. 9, 26 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  6. Published

    Einleitung: Von der "Klein-Hypothese" zur Beratung der Gesellschaft

    Pias, C. & Vehlken, S., 2010, Think Tanks : Die Beratung der Gesellschaft. Brandstetter, T., Pias, C. & Vehlken, S. (eds.). Zürich, Berlin: Diaphanes Verlag, p. 7-15 9 p.

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

  7. Published

    Fishy Business: Mediale Durchmusterung von Schwärmen unter Wasser

    Vehlken, S., 2010, Grenzflächen des Meeres. Brandstetter, T., Harasser, K. & Friesinger, G. (eds.). Wien: Verlag Turia + Kant, p. 157-196 40 p.

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

  8. Published

    Hans Joas / Wolfgang Knöbl, Kriegsverdrängung. Ein Problem in der Geschichte der Sozialtheorie. Frankfurt am Main 2008: Suhrkamp

    Spreen, D., 2010, In: Soziologische Revue. 33, 3, p. 364-367 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsCritical reviewsResearch

  9. Published

    "Hello Kitty" im japanischen Medienalltag: zur Integration mobiler Kommunikationstechnologien in alltagskulturelle Praktiken der Verniedlichung

    Peil, C., 2010, Alltag in den Medien - Medien im Alltag. Röser, J., Thomas, T. & Peil, C. (eds.). Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, p. 242-260 19 p. (Medien - Kultur - Kommunikation).

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

  10. Published

    Intellektuelle und Kritik in Medienkulturen

    Thomas, T., 2010, Die Mediatisierung der Alltagswelt. Hartmann, M. & Hepp, A. (eds.). Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, p. 255-272 28 p. (Medien - Kultur - Kommunikation).

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

  11. 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