PROJECTS

Leveraging ICT Product Innovations by Enhancing Codes of Modern Art: a post-doctoral research project

Updated on March, 2023

The aim of this project is to raise the interest of a wide-ranging public for contemporary art and to point out the newest creative tendencies in the collective thinking of art. On a larger scale, the project tends to describe the language of art in the nearest future. The task is to create an innovative digital game in the cross-cutting genres of arthouse, educational and serious game.

As interactive media, digital games have a great potential to integrate people into fields that would otherwise not meet their interest. The game would develop the creative skills of players and teach them the current trends in digital art. The game would also collect the results of players forming a database of artistic means that will lead to scientific conclusions about future art. In the meantime, the game would project the inheritance of art from the age of modernism into the digital world by teaching the player to recognize it (for instance, pixel aesthetics is a successor to cubism and constructivism).

The Design Science Research method will be used in this project in order to cross-cut such remote fields as the general public and the arthouse world, codes of modern art and the taste of the general public. Taking into account that art today is largely interactive, the new game will let its user play around with trends of modern art such as vaporwave, glitch and others, and to create new ones. Thus, the project deals with the problem of knowledge cache and cultural segregation that characterizes modern art: being specific to a great extent, it is difficult to access a large segment of the public.

Keywords: knowledge society, modernism art, culture codes, ICT product development, intellectual capital, knowledge transfer.

PostDoctorate Research Project

Supported by ERDF

Project manager: researcher, PhD Ieva Gintere

Scientific consultant: dr.phys. Atis Kapenieks

Project duration: 01.09.2017. - 31.08.2021.

Project number: 1.1.1.2/VIAA/1/16/106

In a collaboration with artists Kristaps Biters (Latvian Academy of Art) and Ieva Vīksne (Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences)

Scientific papers

Scopus database

Gintere, I. (2021). An Educational Digital Environment of Contemporary Aesthetics Focused on Slow Gaming. Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Computer Supported Education, Prague, 23-25 April, 2021 (CSEDU-2021). Institute for Systems and Technologies of Information, Control and Communication, Prague, SciTePress library, vol. 2, pp. 163-168, https://www.scitepress.org/Papers/2021/104032/104032.pdf
Gintere, I. (2020). Developing the Noise Music Trend in Digital Edugaming, International Journal of Circuits, Systems and Signal Processing, vol. 14, pp. 1176-1180, https://www.naun.org/main/NAUN/circuitssystemssignal/2020/c942005-fab.pdf
Gintere, I. (2020). A Perspective on a New Digital Art Game: The Approach of Research and Knowledge Transfer. Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Computer Supported Education (CSEDU-2020). Institute for Systems and Technologies of Information, Control and Communication, Prague, May 2nd, vol. 1, pp. 311-318, https://www.scitepress.org/PublicationsDetail.aspx?ID=vmETqFKwZM8=&t=1
Gintere, I., Zagorskis, V., Kapenieks, A. (2018). Concepts of E-learning Accessibility Improvement – Codes of New Media Art and User Behaviour Study. 10th CSEDU International Conference on Computer Supported Education, 1, pp. 426-431. Portugal, Madeira, March 15th -17th 2018.

Web of Science database

Gintere, I. (2020). The Inclusion of Research and Knowledge Transfer in Art Games. Proceedings of the 12th International Scientific Conference “New Challenges in Economic and Business Development – 2020: Economic Inequality and Well-Being”, Riga, 2nd October 2020. University of Latvia, pp. 150-159, https://db.va.lv:2277/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000632360900014
Gintere, I. (2020). Art Space: An Experimental Digital Art Game. Proceedings of the 14th International Scientific Conference Society, Integration, Education (SIE), Rēzekne Academy of Technologies, 22nd May 2020, vol. 5, pp. 649-660. Available at: http://journals.rta.lv/index.php/SIE/issue/viewIssue/139/526
Gintere, I. (2019). A New Digital Art Game: The Art of the Future. 13th International Scientific Conference “Society, Integration, Education” (SIE-2019) Proceedings, vol. 4, pp. 346-360. Rēzekne Academy of Technologies. Available at: http://journals.ru.lv/index.php/SIE/article/view/3674/3867

Tourism Intelligence Latvia

Updated 26.10.2020.

The aim of the research project is using advantages of ICT development to create GIS solutions-based tourism intelligence platform of market information, providing analyses and forecasts of pan-Baltic Big Data representing cross-sectoral industry performance in multi-destination levels to improve competitiveness of Latvia in export markets and facilitate regional development.

Tourism Intelligence Latvia (TourInteLV) is a project using participatory research, integrated across the fields of ICT and GIS mapping, the social sciences and complexity science, to empower stakeholders from tourism industry to make strategic and responsible decisions for their future. The project will bring together, on a pan-Baltic level, Big Data with new modelling and new form of interaction leading to a comprehensive understanding of tourism connectivity and society involved in travel and its co-evolution with technology. It is aimed to provide one-stop platform for market intelligence to strengthen competitiveness of businesses and destination management organizations (DMO), especially on a regional level. Even more ubiquitous communication and sensing blur the boundaries between the physical and digital spheres, creating unparalleled opportunities for better understanding the socio-economic processes of tourism in holistic spatial extent. Data from public statistics, open or professional sources and data available from geo-located mobile devices will be integrated in the maps and visualizations. Technology melds maps with data and well-designed information to see the human geography and raising mobility in a smarter way. New public resource will help for public institutions and enterprises to aggregate, access query and understand vast amounts of data and forecast promoting innovative approaches.

The objectives of the research:

To establish solid theoretical base for goal-oriented applied research including human geography, social sciences and complexity science with participatory research methods, ICT and GIS modelling techniques for in-depth analyses of tourism phenomena.
To analyse reliable Big Data sources and possibilities of smart converting them into customized and accurate information flow for industry development needs, arranging legal issues about usage of data.
To develop holistic GIS solutions based tourism intelligence platform model with accurate well-designed visualizations and customized forecast options.
Develop adaptive ICT based tool for measuring of tourism flow in space, time and customer behaviour context supplementing insight of quantitative information reached in the first objectives.
Disseminate research results and promote strategic usage of them among the industry and involve in active participation.

Planned results: a research project implemented internationally and discussed in the industry with an up-to-date theoretical basis for solving the problem. A developed socio-technical systems model and ICT solution with practical application, scientifically substantiated and developed with precise involvement of large-scale data.

PostDoctorate research project

Project Manager: HESPI Researcher Dr.geogr. Andris Klepers (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Project duration: 01.09.2017. - 31.08.2020.

Project number: 1.1.1.2/VIAA/1/16/100

The research project is implemented with the PostDoctoral research support (ERDF)

Accomplished activities of the project:

Popular Scientific Review (in Latvian) published for the period from 01.09.2017 - 28.02.2018
Participation in international ESRI conference, ArcGIS application – innovations and practice. Riga. (05.09.2017)
Presentation at an international conference "Tourism in Protected Areas”, (Estonia) with report “Tourism and nature protection: Gauja NP tourism cluster” (15.09.2017)
An International Mobility Trip to Ireland on Managing Tourism Destinations and Enhancing the Competitiveness of Small Businesses, Private-Public Governance (18.- 22.09.2017)
An international mobility trip to the Netherlands with the presentation of a report entitled "BIG Data Analytics for Smart Tourism Destination Management". Gaining experience of engaging in big data research, monitoring, and business issues. The use of ICT in tourism destination management, branding and strategies. (October 2017)
Presentation at the Daugava Lower Reaches cluster Tourism Forum with the report "Tourism Marketing, Trends, Social Network Marketing". (05.10.2017)
Presentation at the conference “The first 10 years of the Rāzna National Park” with the report “Development of Rāzna NP as a Single Tourism Destination: Challenges and Opportunities”. (23.11.2017)
Participation in professional development courses for working with IBM SPSS Modeler. (November 2017)
Presentation at the international tourism conference “Know your neighbor” in Elva, Estonia with the report “Strategic view to Latvian visitors in South-Estonian context”. (06.12.2017)
International post-doctoral research mobility: one month at the University of Eastern Finland Tourism Research Center. (February 2018)
Professional development courses in GIS software usage (in collaboration with Envirotech SIA) implemented. (January 2018)
Participation in the 76th scientific conference of the University of Latvia with the report: “Farmsteads and rural landscape quality of Latvia in the context of natural diversity”. (31.01.2018)
Conducting guest lectures for international master students at the University of Eastern Finland in the course "Current Research Methods in Tourism". (February 2018)
Scientific article published: Klepers, A. (2018). Problems of tourism destination management in Latvia. Folia Geographica, (16), 46-54. (March 2018)
Participation in Gauja NP tourism cluster general meeting. (13.03.2018)
Presentation at the General Meeting of the Geography Society of Latvia with the report “Geography of Latvian Rural Farmsteads. Tourism context.” (24.03.2018)
Participation in the HESPI Institute Research Public Research Event with the presentation of post-doc project interim results. (26.04.2018)
Participation in a VIA HESPI scientific seminar with a report on “Big Data engagement solutions for tourism management”, Valmiera. (28.05.2018)
Open lecture performed “Tourism destination development trends in Latvia. Regional perspective.” as candidate for the post of Associate Professor. Valmiera. (12.05.2018)
Criteria for obtaining the status of associate professor - academic post completed (in Latvian). Elected as associate professor in Human Geography, branch of Social and economic Geography. (25.05.2018)
Professional development courses “Applying Eye View Tracking Technologies in Research” completed in collaboration with TOBII Pro and VIA Knowledge and Technology Center. (4.-5.06.2018)
Presentation at the scientific conference "Opportunities and Challenges - Life in National Parks and other Nature Protected Areas", Slītere NP with a report “Network Based Local Tourism Destination Systems. Case Study of Gauja NP Tourism Cluster”. (08.07.2018)
Contribution with scientific data and GIS visualizations to the comprehensive research report for Latvian Parliament “Promotion of tourism development in regions of Latvia”. (August 2018)
Scientific article published: Ruskule, A., Klepers, A, & Veidemane, K. (2018). Mapping and assessment of cultural ecosystem services of Latvian coastal areas. One Ecosystem. DOI: 10.3897/oneeco.3.e25499. (August 2018)
Popular Scientific Review (in Latvian) published for the period from 01.03.2018 to 31.08.2018. (September 2018)
Participation in the 4th international conference “GIS and Remote Sensing” in Berlin (Germany), presentation with a report “Spatial Analysis of Tourism Places in the Post-Soviet Contexts: Tourist Destinations of Baltic States” and defense of thesis publication; chairing a thematic session. (27.-28.09. .2018)
Participation in Enter Gauja tourism destination steering group meeting in Līgatne. (10.10.2018)
Participation in International Applied GIS Conference “Baltic ESRI User Conference”. Riga. (17.10.2018)
Participation in the international tourism conference “Looking for excellence in tourism education. The perspective of cooperation between universities and industry.” In Valmiera. Head of section “Innovative approaches to higher education in tourism and involvement of industry in the study process”. (25.10.2018)
Participation in Vidzeme Tourism Association Regional Tourism Strategy seminar in Valmiera and contribution to the strategy development. (01.11.2018)
Participation in Tourism Forum of Baltic Sea Region. (15.11.2018)
Participation in the general meeting of the Gauja NP Tourism Society - cluster in Krimulda. (28.11.2018)
Participation in the International Geographic Information Technology GIT Conference in Riga. (07.12.2018)
Lecture “Competitiveness of Koknese Region in Tourism: Municipal and Entrepreneurial Strategies” for stakeholders involved in tourism development of the region. (11.12.2018)
Supervision of master thesis (3) on tourism destination development and business intelligence solutions for smart tourism destination development. (2018/2019)
Contribution to the “Tourism Law” updates of Latvia. (Since December 2018)
Contribution to the “Latvian Tourism Development Guidelines 2021-2027”. (Since December 2018)
Theoretical base report for using combined alternative data sources for tourism monitoring, planning and forecasting in local tourism destinations. (19.09.2019.)
Participation in THE EUROPARC 2019 international seminar on global challenges for the management of public and specially protected natural areas – national parks. (25-26.09.2019.)
Participation in the European Researchers Night event at Vidzeme Universit of Applied Sciences, Valmiera. Publicity activities on the content of the research project. (27.09.2019.)
International mobility to Tallinn, Estonia, in cooperation with Central Statistical Administrators, the international working group presented the content “Alternatively data sources and methods in tourism statistics” (04.10.2019.)
Participation 28. Symposium of the Northern Tourism and Hospitality Studies (28th Nordic Symposium on Tourism and Hospitality Research) at the University of Roskilde, Denmark, with a scientific publication and published thesis “Alternative Data for Seaside Tourism Planning GIS”. (23-26.10.2019.)
Participation in the public scientific event and thematic discussion on the quality of scientific evidence and open data of researchers at Vidzeme University's HESPI Institute (14.11.2019.)
Participation in the research workshop of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences for post-doctoral researchers and doctoral students on open data sources and the issue of analysis, involvement in research (15.11.2019.)
Publicity event for research results – Open online broadcasting and remote participation. In cooperation with the Central Statistical Bureau and Business University Turība, involving tourism planning specialists. Subject: “Study methodology | Alternative data sources and methods in tourism statistics”. (15.11.2019.)
Participation in the work seminar of the Nature Protection Board: Application of technological solutions to visitor records in nature heritage sites and considerations for organising comprehensive monitoring. DAP, Sigulda (26.11.2019.)
Participation in the sector-specific conference organised by the Ministry of Agriculture: “Challenges and Opportunities for the Development of Fisheries” with the report entitled “Capacities for the Development of Tourism Offshore” (27.11.2019.)
Participation in the international conference “The 26th Nordic Intercultural Communication (NIC) Conference” in Valmiera, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, with a report and published thesis “Contemporary Geographies of Public Events and Tourism Mobility”. (29.11.2019)
Participation in the general meeting of researchers at the ViA HESPI Institute & workshop. (10.12.2019.)
Participation in the international e-tourism conference at the University of Surrey ETNER2020, United Kingdom, with the report “Competitive Management of Local Tourism Destination Using Advanced GIS Platform” (07.01-10.01 .2020).
Participation in the international conference and related events of the CAUTHE Association at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), New Zealand with the report “Online tickets purchase as source for tracing tourism mobilities” (10-13.02.2020).
Participation in the tourism section of the LU scientific conference, presentation of the report “Tourism flow and anthropogenic load on the sea coast: problems and solutions” at the University of Latvia, Riga (21.02.2020).
Collaboration with Envirotech Ltd, GIS data platform development solutions. Advanced creation and display of involved data relations, website design. Technological solution – platform created and accessible (with password – please request it from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for content testing purposes): https://viagis.maps.arcgis.com/home/organization.htm.
Participation in ViA doctoral and postdoctoral research seminar. Presentation and discussion of work progress. (04/17/2020).
Participation in ViA doctoral and postdoctoral research seminar remotely. Presentation and discussion of work progress. (22.05.2020.).
Acquisition of the online international course "Statistics for Data Science and Business Analysis" (Udemy) and customized study course ArcGIS online. (June-August 2020).
Publication of guidelines "Use of specialized technological solutions for determining the number of visits to tourist and leisure facilities or public events in the outdoor environment [1]".
Participation in the Valmiera Tourism Innovation Hackathon (as a mentor) (June 27-June 28, 2020).
Participation in the international conference Mobile Tartu 2020 with the poster-type report “ICT for measuring tourism flow” (30.06.2020.).
Scientific and applied seminar (27.08.2020) on the established GIS platform for the management of tourist destinations including sustainable planning, monitoring and forecasting. Seminar content (50 min.) with demonstration of technological solution created available here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezxcn0_BKCA&t=239s
Implemented international mobility to the Mobility LAB of the University of Tartu, proposals for co-operation on research, joint activities (31.08.2020).
Prepared scientific publication “Visitor load in protected nature areas during COVID-19”. Summary. The process of publication in the scientific journal Sustainability continues.
Prepared scientific publication “Strategic co-management platform for tourism destination”. Summary. The process of publishing in the scientific journal Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights continues.

Dynamic 3D visualization of the Internet of Things (IoT) elements in outdoor augmented reality (AR) modes

Updated 15.09.2020.

Research activities will take place at the Faculty of Engineering at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, and specifically, in the virtual reality technologies laboratory.

The main objective of this research is to develop a solution for visualising IoT elements in indoor and outdoor environments where distances to the object exceed five meters. The primary results of this research should ensure a dynamic and animated three-dimensional (3D) computer model depiction in augmented reality mode without the use of fiducial or image-based markers. Such technological innovation will offer ample cases of augmented reality use in various industries and have economic ramifications.

The project relates to Latvia’s Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3). Specifically, the project aims to contribute to the number 4 priority and number 5 specialization "Modern Information and Communication Technologies", where as a result, an innovative augmented reality solution and methodology will be developed, including existing hardware sets and a new software prototype.

Post-doctorate research project

Project manager: ViA associated professor Arnis Cīrulis

Type of project: ERAF

Duration: 01.09.2017. - 31.08.2020.

Project number: 1.1.1.2/VIAA/1/16/105

Accomplished activities of the project:

1. Activity No.1.1. Current world practice and use cases (31.12.2017.)

2. Activity No.1.2. Need for IoT elements visualization and justification for stakeholders (31.12.2017.)

3. Participation in an informative seminar for Overly Ltd. discussing augmented reality solutions and development perspectives as well as postdoctoral project goals and objectives and potential future approbation options (12.02.2018.)

4. Popular-scientific report for the period 01.09.2017.-28.02.2018.

5. Activity No.1.3. Evaluation of technological frameworks to provide logical and physical structure (31.03.2018.)

6. Activity No.1.4. Classification of content types and choice of levels of interactivity (31.03.2018.)

7. Participation in the International Conference Research in DIgital Age: Sustainable Development, Culture and Education with a report "Interactivity and immersion levels of augmented reality systems" (06.04.2018.)

8. Participation in the mid-term study of postdoctoral researcher and doctoral students of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (28.05.2018.)

9. Participation in professional development courses "The use of eye-eye tracking technologies in research" in collaboration with TOBII Pro and Knowledge and Technology Centre Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (04.05.2018.-05.06.2018.)

10. Activity No.2.1. Developing functional models for potential augmented reality solutions (02.07.2018.)

11. Participation in "VR Meetup" event in Riga with presentation of Virtual and Augmented Reality Laboratory of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (10.07.2018.)

12. Participation in professional development courses "Installation of ultra-wideband (UWB) local positioning system in collaboration with Echosports (27.08.2018.)

13. Participation in lectures and practical classes at Augmented Reality Summer School 2018 (Italy) (02.09.2018.-08.09.2018.)

14. Presentation of postdoctoral results at Augmented Reality Summer School 2018 Young Scientists Session (04.09.2018.)

15. International Postdoctoral Research Mobility in Advanced and Virtual Reality Laboratory, University of Salento (Italy) (10.09.2018.-14.09.2018.)

16. Participation in the European Researchers' Night 2018, presenting and demonstrating the results of the project and augmented reality opportunities to the general public in a popular-science manner (28.09.2018.)

17. Activity No.2.3. Development of emulator and simulation model for multi-object dynamic environment (30.10.2018.)

18. Activity No.2.4. Access verification and validation. Border testing and scoring (30.10.2018.)

19. International postdoctoral research mobility at University of La Laguna laboratory atRAe (Apicación de Tecnologías de Realidad Aumentada en Educación y Comunicación) (Spain) (08.12.2018.-23.12.2018.)

20. Participation and presentation of results in PhD and postdoctoral seminars "PhD Program I3MA Industrial Engineering, Computer Science and Environmental Engineering of the University of La Laguna". Presented presentation theme "Projects and experiences with VR / AR technologies" (19.12.2018.)

21. Participation, presentation of results and discussions at the scientific seminar of the Department of Technology and Engineering at the University of La Laguna. Presented theme "Trends to develop projects based on VR technologies" (21.12.2018.)

22. Description of the activity for the activity No.3.1 Design of the physical structure and the developed software framework within activity 3.2 (31.03.2019)

23. Publication "Ultra-wide-band tracking potential for augmented reality environments" prepared and submitted for The 6th International Conference on Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Computer Graphics (SALENTO AVR 2019) (31.03.2019)

24. IEEE VR 2019: the 26th IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Conference in Osaka, Japan and VR/AR/MR World Expo (9th Content Expo Tokyo) conference/exhibition in Tokyo, Japan (24.03.2019-06.04.2019)

25. Membership of the International Scientific Conference “SOCIETY. TECHNOLOGY. SOLUTIONS 2019 with presentation “Involvement and parts to develop projects based on VR/AR/XR technologies” (25.04.2019-26.04.2019)

26. 10th Annual AWE WITH/VR Conference and Expo conferences and exhibitions in Santa Clara, visiting the USA (28.05.2019. -05.06 .2019)

27. Participation in the 6th International Conference on Protected Reality, Virtual Reality and Computer Graphics (SALENTO AVR 2019) conference with presentation “Ultra wide-band tracking potential for augmented reality environments” (24.06.2019-28.06.2019)

28. Submitted abstract to the 22nd International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction

29. Prepared description for activity 3.5. Implemented animated, dynamic 3D objects (31.12.2019)

30. Prepared description for activity 4.2. Development of object data base for prototype and compatibility of file formats.

31. Submitted and accepted publication "Large scale augmented reality for collaborate environments" for submission to HCI INTERNATIONAL 2020, 22nd International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction Session Human Centred Experience for Universal Access, under session Human Centered Experience for Universal Access

32. Prepared description for activity 4.1. Provision of 3D object intellect for interactivity capability and information collection to respect interdisciplinary aspects (30.06.2020.)

33. Participation in HCI INTERNATIONAL 2020, 22nd International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, session Human Centered Experience for Universal Access with presentation "Large scale augmented reality for collaborative environments" (19.07.2020).
34. Prepared popular-science video about research results available at: https://youtu.be/fMeYAQUDKlc
35. Prepared instructions for products: CareUnderFire, OpenAirMuseum and TronAcitvieEntertainment. Organized outdoor demonstrations and summarized VR/AR filed expert reviews.