Our Journey
LAIMA grew from Maretta Staprans University of Oregon Master’s capstone research in Immersive Media Communication.
How can artificial intelligence, neuroscience, music, portraiture, and immersive media be used to deepen emotional connection in a world increasingly shaped by loneliness and digital disconnection while carrying on the artistic legacy and emotional impact of her father’s art?
Mission and Legacy
LAIMA is an emerging art movement that places the human experience at the center of the creative process. By merging neuroscience with artistic intelligence, we answer a central question: can technology help us see one another more deeply? The movement serves as a bridge between the visceral emotions of the moment and a permanent visual legacy.
The name LAIMA itself carries deep cultural weight, rooted in Latvian identity and the pursuit of happiness. Our human-centered process interprets a person's smile and brainwave patterns into art that reflects lived experience. This approach transforms AI from a source of replacement into a tool for profound interpretation and family heritage preservation.
What we stand for
During the research, the artist developed a portrait method that combined smiling photography, electroencephalography (EEG) data, personally meaningful music, favorite colors, cherished locations, and AI-assisted image generation.
This is the space to introduce visitors to the business or brand. Briefly explain who's behind it, what it does and what makes this website unique. Share its core values and what this site has to offer.
This is the space to introduce visitors to the business or brand. Briefly explain who's behind it, what it does and what makes this website unique. Share its core values and what this site has to offer.
This is the space to introduce visitors to the business or brand. Briefly explain who's behind it, what it does and what makes this website unique. Share its core values and what this site has to offer.
HOW PORTRAITS ARE CREATED
A Portrait Composed From More Than Appearance
The creation of a LAIMA portrait is an immersive, multi-sensory experience that bridges science and art. We don’t just capture how you look; we capture how you feel, your history, and the unique vibrations of your personality.
The Smile
The process begins with high-resolution photography focused on the Duchenne smile—a spontaneous, genuine expression of joy that reaches the eyes. This visual data serves as the foundational structure of the portrait, capturing the physical embodiment of a person’s happiness.
The Music
We ask you to select a piece of music that holds deep personal meaning—a song that evokes a specific memory or a feeling of home. As you listen, we observe the subtle shifts in your presence, ensuring the artwork is infused with the rhythm and tone of your inner world.
The Brainwaves
Using non-invasive EEG technology, we record your brain’s neural activity while you recall cherished memories. These unique electrical patterns are translated into digital data, providing a literal map of your consciousness that dictates the brushstrokes and textures of the final piece.
Personal Elements
Color and place are vital to identity. We incorporate your favorite colors and photographs of locations that resonate with your heritage or history. These elements are woven into the background, grounding your portrait in the context of your life’s journey.
The Artistic Composition
Finally, we use AI-assisted generation to synthesize the photo, brainwaves, music, colors, and locations into a singular work of art. The result is a portrait that is uniquely yours—a visual legacy that captures the essence of a human being in a way that traditional media never could.