H⭐️SHISH CASTLE: A Trippy Journey Through Myth, Nature, and Urban Legend

Last November 10th we stepped inside Milan’s hidden green gem, Floricoltura Radaelli, transformed into a liminal space of enchantment as Magical Mystery Garden and Cannabis Protectio hosted H☆SHISH CASTLE. This sensory-driven exhibition blurred the lines between legend, psychedelia, and the city’s urban folklore in an immersive experience.

The narrative centred around Tullio Grani’s film is an evocative piece that unravels the mystique of an ancient hashish castle. The film delves into the lore of the Order of Assassins, where the mythical leader Hasan-i Sabbah lured followers into his own Garden of Eden. A nod to the historical tales of Alamut Castle, the work explores themes of ritual, altered perception, and the intoxicating allure of paradise lost—a narrative as much about power and control as it is about the fine line between ecstasy and reality. Yet, it also offers a study of hashish, unraveling the legends surrounding the origin of its name and the contrasting societal dynamics around cannabis and its derivatives. The text of the exhibition, essential to the understanding of this complex narrative, is curated by Marta Zaninello.

The garden itself became an active participant in the storytelling. Magical Mystery Garden—renowned for its fusion of the digital and botanical—created bespoke plant installations that evoked a timeless, Edenic atmosphere. Floricoltura Radaelli’s verdant setting provided the perfect canvas, with its century-old greenhouses offering a nostalgic counterpoint to the show’s contemporary vision. It’s a place where the past hangs thick in the air, juxtaposed against Milan’s frenetic sprawl, making visitors forget they’re only minutes from the city centre.

C*nnabis played a starring role, woven into both the installations and the broader narrative of the exhibition. The central metaphor—the castle made of h*shish—challenged the current duality in perceptions of the plant. On one hand, c*nnabis remains stigmatised, its use criminalised in many societies. On the other, a growing movement views it as a versatile natural resource, from hemp textiles to culinary applications. Here, the plant symbolised a paradox, embodying both a space of illicit mysticism and a critique of modern prohibition. Cannabis Protectio, a young Bolognese company born from the collaboration of three minds—an artist, an agronomist, and a computer scientist—brings this duality into focus. United by their passion for quality and innovation, they specialise in indoor cultivation, dedicating themselves to careful research and the selection of the finest strains. Their aim is to offer distinctive products with unique tastes and characteristics, always ensuring a singular experience. This commitment to perfection is reflected in their constant pursuit of excellence, making every detail matter.

Musician Leo Xyz and Eltanin as their duo band Train to Eltanin, heightened the experience with an ethereal performance. Their atmospheric set reverberated through the greenhouses, melding seamlessly with the exhibition’s trance-like vibe. It was a sonic journey, amplifying the feeling of being caught in a foggy dreamscape, a fitting counterpart to the silent haze that surrounded the mythical castles of the Assassins.

Floricoltura Radaelli—an institution since the 1970s, with roots dating back to the late 19th century—lent an aura of authenticity. Nestled between Dergano and Affori, it’s a haven of stillness, a paradoxical escape from Milan’s relentless pulse. Known for hosting everything from fashion shoots to design week events, the nursery was the ideal venue for this otherworldly exploration, its weathered greenhouses standing as a testament to time and transformation.

H☆SHISH CASTLE transcended the boundaries of a traditional exhibition, evolving into an evocative ode to the narratives that continue to shape our perceptions of paradise and its elusive gatekeepers. This experience was more than a mere display of art; it was a complex, immersive tapestry woven from the threads of historical legend, urban folklore, and the raw, untamed beauty of nature. Here, the concept of paradise was not only deconstructed but reimagined—melding ancient myth, digital fantasy, and psychedelic reflections into a space where reality and imagination intertwined seamlessly.

This journey hovered between serene tranquility and an undercurrent of the uncanny, combining elements of sight, sound, and scent to create an intimate yet universally resonant experience. By blending themes of folklore, sustainability, and the mystical, H☆SHISH CASTLE led us into a profound meditation on the quest for an unattainable Eden, confronting the layers of myth, cultural narratives, and fragmented memories that shape our visions of paradise today. It wasn’t just a visual experience—it was a sensory awakening, an exploration of the hybrid space where nature’s rawness collides with the surrealism of digital art.

Behind this enigmatic project is Magical Mystery Garden (MMG), a collective conceived and led by Alison Bizzi. Known for its eclectic approach, MMG merges digital art, visual storytelling, music, psychedelia, cooking, and installations with an emphasis on the botanical and the mystical. The MMG team includes Tullio Grani, an Italian director whose work blurs the lines between cutting-edge technology and dreamlike imagery, and Maditha De Paoli, a multifaceted artist whose connection to nature infuses her projects with a sense of organic, untamed creativity. The project is also curated by Victoria Genzini and together, they form a collective that bridges the gap between ancient narratives and contemporary cultural currents. H☆SHISH CASTLE was more than a showcase—it was a bold, multi-sensory exploration of paradise, myth, and the interplay between nature and technology, challenging visitors to reimagine their connection to these timeless themes.

Article by @danieleverse

Exhibition:

Photos by Milton Highcow @miltonhighcow

Text Marta Zaninello @martarattata

Sound by Train To Eltanin @traintoeltanin @leo.xyz @e.l.t.a.n.i.n

Installation:

Alison Bizzi @darkness_retreat

Tullio Grani @tulliograni

Maditha de Paoli @nix.denkend

with the partecipation of @tommasopizzolato @itsconsuelabitch

Video installation:

Video shot by Tullio Grani

supported by Cannabis Protectio @cannabisprotectio

Thank you Mattia Corvino, Andrea Corvino, Federico Fungo, Claudio, Alberto Cantu, Erboristeria Passiflora & Luca Pitoia

Special thanks Victoria Genzini and Floricoltura Radaelli

Courtesy of Magical Mystery Garden and Cannabis Protectio

RED•EYE WORLD

H☆SHISH CASTLE: A Trippy Journey Through Myth, Nature, and Urban Legend