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Hydrocarbon Works

The Hydrocarbon Works are some of Berro's most recent paintings. They are sized 130cm x 190cm. Red oil paint is the primary medium used. To make the oil paint more fluid, Berro uses a certain hydrocarbon mixture. This mixture allows him to pour the paint as drops onto the cotton canvas.

Berro has to wear a Tyvek full bodysuit, with a respirator, to stop the toxic fumes coming into his lungs. The hydrocarbon mixture used should only be utilized in small quantities to reduce fume development. To get the paint from the initially viscous form into an almost water-like liquid, Berro uses more than 2 liters of the mixture. 

Hydrocarbon Works by Khalil Berro
Hydrocarbon Works by Khalil Berro
Hydrocarbon Works by Khalil Berro

To create the right amount of droplets and the correct speed at which they're hitting the cotton canvas, he gets on top of a ladder and slowly lets one droplet fall after the other. 

Due to the high speed and low viscosity of the paint, it streaks the canvas softly and leaves a red trail showing where the droplets came from.

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