So, there are four elements: air, fire, water and earth. All the religions, teachings, legends, fables of the world touch the subject of four elements. Four elements are like the four arches of creation and are present everywhere. Meta-genetics and occultism, cabbala and the teachings of Greek philosophers, Indian fables, Hindu and Chinese teachings – all the human heritage is filled with thoughts about the four elements.

Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, examined elements as a combination of four powers: algidity and warmth, aridity and moisture. Each element consists of a connection of two opposite characteristics where one is always dominating. Thanks to the binary structure, the elements can gradually change into one another.

In Ancient India the school of Vaisheshika comprises of a teaching about atoms that communicates with the ideas of ancient Greek philosophers: Leucippus, Democritus and Epicurus. The creator of Vaisheshika, Kanada, thought that the elements had micro particles. They were called paramanavas (не нашла ни в гугле, ни в википедии, сомневаюсь в написании). These particles were atoms, some micros of substance. They are in motion because of an outer stimulus. Apart from that, they conjugate into inconvertible and convertible combinations.

Cherokee Indians considered nature to be a kind of mixture, where all the four elements of creation are combined together. It is similar to a huge boiler where Air, Water, Fire and Earth are mixed together. Neither one of the elements can survive without the other three. Each power has elements of the others.

The confluence of Hellenize astrology with East-European philosophy encouraged occurrence of the four arches theory in occultism. For a person thinking with alchemic categories, the four powers form a cross which is also the world quadrate. This shape can also be formed by the two pairs of principal states: hot and dry, cold and moist. Fire is hot and dry. Water is cold and moist. The other not so opposite elements are situated in between them: earth is dry and cold, air is hot and moist.

Along with tangible characteristics of the elements all the source materials have straight connections to materials and “technologies”. Fire is metal, water is stone, earth is all living (plants, animal world, man) and air is ether, some “nothing”. It’s necessary to mention that in eastern philosophy metal and wood are marked as separate elements. This does not prevent me from pondering in the chosen direction.

So, humans intuitively arranged materials into groups according to elements. And if the three (four in China) groups are understandable, there is still an open question: what is air/ether? From all the information about ether, I made a conclusion that all the teachings are confused with the search of groups that are connected to air. They are there and at the same time they are not.

I can hazard a guess that the group of materials that associate with the Air element has appeared not that long ago. These are all the artificial, synthetic materials, polyethylene plastics and other polyvinylchloride. This explains the absence of direct references to plastic in ancient teachings. At the same time there was always some space left for this group of materials. In my opinion this brings a very logic end to the search. Everything is in the right place. Fire is all the kinds of metals and alloys. Water is stone, ceramics, glass, all hardened blends of sand, chips, clay etc. Earth is wood, leather, fabric, all the materials of natural origin. Air consists of all the products based on the organic synthesis of oil. I divided the whole spectrum of materials into four relative groups. Of course there are materials that are situated on the junction of elements just like there are undertones and tinctures.

What does this classification give us within the bounds of design? I think that this is one of the methods to create harmonious, balanced objects with justified use of materials. Did you notice that some things you trust intuitively and some you won’t buy even under the influence of promotion? One of the factors that influence our choice is our subconscious idea of what various objects should be made of. A knife should be made out of metal, the handle should preferably be made out of wood, bone or rubber or out of thick leather. A plastic handle looks ok but somehow not as good as it could be. A bag out of synthetics is interesting but the use of quality leather is somewhat more pleasant. A kettle out of glass or ceramics is cozier than a plastic one. A plastic bicycle is good but a metal one is much more reliable and firm. But the disposable bags do not arouse suspicion and can be plastic.

The realistic picture of stratification of society can be seen in the examples of interiors and objects. The wealthy prefer leather interior cars and fine wood finishings, tea from china, clothes from fabric of natural origin – this is usually called “Luxury” and “Premium”. The others live in “a world of plastic” and think that all is supposed to be exactly like it is. An iron that is metal with a wooden handle is absurd. Only plastic! It is more durable, light-weight and cheap! What about the fact that irons were always produced from metal with a wooden handle? It used to be cheap and convenient. On my shelf I have exhibits that are more that a hundred years old and can still be used now. I have the impression that someone really clever lives in a pleasant and balanced world and everyone else is told that it’s very nice to sit of plastic chairs.

Myth. Plastic objects are cheap, metal and ceramic are expensive.

Myth. Plastic can be used to make things that it is impossible to make using other materials.

Myth. Plastic objects are more durable that others.

Myth. Plastic is fashionable.

… It can seem that I try to destroy plastic as a class. No! I encourage considering it as a rightful part of the universe, but using it only when it is reasonable.

Not a myth. It is the largest material with the richest spectrum of various characteristics.

Not a myth. Synthetic materials are irreplaceable in the manufacture of disposable products, wrappings, electronics, illuminating devices etc.

Next time I will tell you about the expedience of the use of materials in the design of manufactured goods (see pictures for examples) and discover a few exceptions to the rule.