Material--first taxonomies

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On the arrangement/array and structuring of material and materiality in an artistic context
Creating a system where to find material, organizing and listing differences of material without choosing a setting of single "classifications"

comment 1: not to be understood as complete lists, more of a practical approach from different angles.
comment 2: these classifications are not exclusive to each other and can be linked or crosslinked.
comment 3: classifications as groups of materials, contextualized rather than singled out or hierarchized
comment 4: classifications as titles and orientations, to be continued...
comment 5: groupings as a meshwork of nodes of contact

Different approaches to classifications

practical

artistic

production related / industrial

functional

semantic

sensual

contextualized

processual

ontological

contextualized

historical

spiritual

embodied

aesthetic

experimental

...

Material families

classified according to raw material and resources, production related / industrial

paper

wood

metal

synthetics

rubber

stone/minerals

composites

organic

smart

glass

polymers

ceramics

gas

foam

...

Material features

classified according to properties and functionalities

reacting	conductive	reusable / recyclable	moldable / shapeable	adhesive / resolvent	resilient
digital	immaterial	programmeable	oriented on other sensory reception	phenomenological	...

Material contextualisation

classified based on a multidisciplinary approach, distinctions made by highlighting single disciplines (exMedia)

informatics

sound

design

architecture

3D / animation / VR / AR

film/ games

theory

bio-art

human-animal studies

...

Fictional taxonomy, example one: Borges

Jorge Luis Borges "Emporio celestial de conocimientos benévolos",
approx. 1942, a fictitious taxonomy of animals, a "celestial emporium of benevolent knowledge":
(a) belonging to the Emperor
(b) embalmed
(c) trained
(d) piglets
(e) sirens
(f) fabulous
(g) stray dogs
(h) included in this classification
(i) trembling like crazy
(j) innumerables
(k) drawn with a very fine camelhair brush
(l) et cetera
(m) just broke the vase
(n) from a distance look like flies

see also https://www.crockford.com/wilkins.html

Traditional Material Classifications

Material Science Classifications

Core understanding of the basic internal structure of materials. Hierachical
why one material is differentiated from another

1. Level	bonding forces between individual atoms
2. Level	the way these bonding forces produce different types of aggregation patterns between atoms to form various molecular and crystalline solid structures
3. Level	These larger aggre­gation patterns can further be differentiated by how their molecular structures branch or link or, in crystalline solids, by different types of unit cell and related spatial lattice structures such as face-centered or body-centere.
4. Level	broadly descriptive categories such as ceramics, metals or polymers

Engineering Classifications

Essentially descriptive but focuses on the performance char­acteristics of materials. Distinguish between the funda­mental problem-solving characteristics. Mapping (mix and match properties and attributes).

how a material performs

STATE	solid, liquid, gas
STRUCTURE	amorphous, crystalline
ORIGIN	Natural, synthelic
COMPOSITION	organic, inorganic, alloy
PROCESSING	cast, hardened, rolled
PROPERTY	emissivity, conductivity
ENVIRONMENT	corrosive, underwater
APPLICATION	adhesive, painl, fuel

Architectural Classifications

Architectural building codes and standards, for example, often supersede performance criterla in an attempt to simplifythe selection process and remove liability for performance failures. For many uses codes and standards often explicitly or implicitly identify acceptable materials, leaving the architect only to select between brands. As a result, architectural classifications tend to be more nominative - simply listing materials and uses in accordance with standard building requirements.

what a material is and where it is used

Practical templates for communication between architects,contractors, fabricators and suppliers. After the preliminary design of a building is completed and approved, architects prepare construction documents that serve as the 'instructions' for the construction of the building. A textual documentdefines each building element on the design drawings and specifies the material or component. This document, rather than providing guidelines, instead serves as a binding contract that construction professionals and contractors must follow.

Examples from The CSI Master Format:

Division 03	Concrete
Division 04	Mansory
Division 05	Metals
Division 06	Wood, Plastics, and Composites
Division 07	Thermal and Moisture Protection
Division 08	Openings
Division 09	Finishes
Division 12	Furnishings
Division 20	Mechanical Support
Division 21	Fire Suppression
Division 23	Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning
Division 26	Electrical
Division 31	Earthwork
Division 40	Process Interconnections
Division 41	Material Processing and Handling Equipment
Division 44	Pollution Control Equipment