Páramo Straw
Páramo straw (Calamagrostis effusa) is a grass native to the high-altitude wetlands of Colombia. Growing in dense stands, it forms an insulating layer across the landscape, protecting surrounding plants from frost and helping regulate the ecosystem. Local communities harvest the grass by hand, gently pulling it so that the plant regenerates. This practice creates a reciprocal relationship: the grass depends on careful tending to renew itself, while humans benefit from the steady supply of material for weaving baskets and other crafts.
Rosana Escobar encountered the material while working with craftspeople in the Páramo. Together they explored its natural qualities and the techniques used locally, observing how the straw bends, gathers, and binds when handled. This collaboration opened ways of understanding the grass not only as a protective species in its environment but also as a fiber with its own possibilities for form and structure.