Susan Hiller

What Every Gardener Knows is an audio installation consisting of music composed by Hiller that is based on Gregor Mendel’s theory of inherited traits. Two repeated notes are formed of a “crossbreed” of elements that are both familiar and alien. This score is played by a carillon that is electronically timed to precisely mark the hours, half-hours and quarter-hours.

In the early 20^th century, Mendel’s ideas were corrupted by eugenicists. In this work, Hiller reclaimed Mendel’s original findings by celebrating the immense diversity of living things – a diversity that can only be achieved by crossbreeding varied genes.

Susan Hiller (1940, Tallahassee FL, USA – 2019, London) was based mainly in London since the early 1960s. With a background in film, photography, archaeology, linguistics and anthropology, she developed a multimedia practice that extended over 40 years, becoming one of the most influential artists of her generation thanks to her innovative use of audio and visual groundbreaking installations.