ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Rooftoppers Arrested After Empire State Building Proposal

artist · 2026-07-02

Rooftopping couple Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus made headlines after scaling the Empire State Building in New York City. At a height of 440 meters, they displayed a striking banner featuring a quote from Jimi Hendrix about the power of love. Following this artistic stunt, Beerkus proposed to Nikolau, who accepted. However, their adventure ended with their arrest for trespassing. The couple is renowned for their unique art projects that fuse creativity with urban architecture. The entire climb and proposal were documented on Instagram under the handle @hidden.ny, attracting significant attention online.

Key facts

  • Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus climbed the Empire State Building spire.
  • They unfurled a banner with a peace quote attributed to Jimi Hendrix.
  • The performance occurred at over 440 meters height.
  • Beerkus proposed to Nikolau on the spire; she accepted.
  • The couple was arrested for unauthorized access.
  • The event was shared on Instagram by @hidden.ny.
  • The Empire State Building is a symbol of power and the American dream.
  • The performance combined urban art, photography, and symbolic gesture.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Hidden (hidden.ny)

Locations

  • New York
  • United States
  • Empire State Building
  • Manhattan

Sources