Books by Xavier Bolot

An understanding of the three realities (physical, perceived, represented) enables us to make sense of concepts encountered in everyday life, in a negotiation, observing a physical phenomenon, a sports competition, biology, psychology or architecture.Why is it that, in a cathedral, if we take notice, we can see curved pillars whereas we know that they have been built straight, and that in taking a photo we can see another curve?According to individuals, eras, civilizations, these three realities have co-existed in a balanced way or not, evolving at different rates.What is happening at the present time?What kind of reaction does postmodern man have, faced with antiquated institutions inherited from modernity: trade unions, political parties, fellowships, religions, academies, old schools? How can we account for absenteeism at elections, the disaffection of institutional arts, the development of tribes, huge drinks parties, raves, Hip Hop where we dance on our head?This book involves us in a multiple and decompartmentalized approach to the world.Similarly, in daily life the average person supposes that, in principle, what he sees, what he hears, what he feels, corresponds to a solid reality, an undeniable truth of things. Yet at the same time, he will be able to adapt to any changes in perception that challenge his representation of things, taking a new path and perceiving the new reality. His new reality will be a new interpretation of his perceptions, in other words a new representation of the world. Perception takes place in the presence of an object. Representation is constructed in the absence of the object. Representation is built from perceptions, but also from other factors, like memory or purpose.Illusions are inherent to our biological constitution and functioning. According to Spinoza, the purpose of our body is to persevere in its own being, in other words to survive in the best possible environment and conditions. In this context, our visual system is not a photographic device. Our eye contains a lens, but our retina and visual system anticipate and transfigure the world, to bring about our life-saving actions.

In this book we learn how to draw using a natural technique that is amazingly efficient and simple. Real Perspective is a new approach to space as seen by our eyes.Perspective is an integral part of drawing and painting.It is however poorly understood today. Our representation of perspective in western countries dates from the 17th century, enforced by an edict made by Louis XIV despot of France. It consisted of drawing receding straight lines starting from a vanishing point.However, the ancient Greeks used specific curves. This heritage was not taken up during the Renaissance.In an investigative atmosphere, this book unmasks beliefs we received on the Renaissance and our contemporary culture. We learn to believe what we see. We rediscover again the Greek knowledge, and the researches among others of Leonardo da Vinci, Henri Matisse and David Hockney. Real Perspective is a new approach of space as seen by our eyes.