In 1970, university students in Philadelphia asked Christo and Jeanne-Claude to create a work of art to celebrate the first Earth Day. The artists requested permission from Dr. Evan Turner, Director of the Philadelphia Museum, to realize Wrapped Stairway, Floor and Walls at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, in the museum's grand entrance.

With the help of the students, using house painters’ cotton drop cloths, the artists completed the work in two days. The work of art remained in place for two weeks.