SiGMA Foundation artist contributor climbs Empire State Building, arrested by NYPD
Angela Nikolau, an artist contributor linked to the SiGMA Foundation, has landed in the headlines after a high-risk climb to the top of the Empire State Building ended with her in NYPD custody. The daredevil stunt, carried out alongside Ivan Kuznetsov, better known as Ivan Beerkus, drew instant attention in New York and far beyond.
The pair scaled the landmark’s antenna on Wednesday and unfurled a banner carrying a peace message: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace”. What followed was part performance, part marriage proposal. Reports say Kuznetsov proposed after the couple descended from the very top, before the two embraced and kissed as police moved in.
View this post on Instagram
Authorities later charged the pair with a string of offences, including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, and related counts. ABC 7 reported that they were walked out of Midtown Precinct South after being charged on Wednesday night. Other reporting says the couple were escorted from the precinct after their arrest, turning a skyline stunt into a very public legal problem.
For SiGMA readers, Nikolau’s name is not new. The SiGMA Foundation’s own website lists her as an artist contributor, making the Foundation link clear and direct. That connection gives the story a sharper edge for the SiGMA audience, especially since Nikolau has built a public identity around art, rooftopping, and fear-defying visuals.
She and Kuznetsov have also featured in the Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, which followed their relationship and their taste for extreme climbs. In that sense, the Empire State Building stunt fits their public persona. It was dramatic, carefully staged, and highly visible. It was also illegal, according to police.
The scene itself was pure New York theatre. A helicopter and officers on the ground monitored the situation as the couple reached the antenna spire. The banner, the proposal, and the arrest all unfolded in quick succession, giving the incident the feel of a viral spectacle with consequences. Watch the moment, direct from NYPD cam footage (uploaded on Youtube by Associated Press) of when the 2 lovebirds were arrested.
Angela Nikolau has been a regular artist contributor during SiGMA summit auctions in aid of the SiGMA Foundation. The SiGMA Foundation is the charitable arm of the SiGMA Group, supporting projects that aim to improve lives through education, healthcare, and sustainability. Its work is often channelled through fundraising campaigns and charity auctions that help back community-focused initiatives around the world.
Stay ahead of iGaming’s biggest stories with SiGMA’s Top 10 News countdown. The world’s biggest iGaming community brings you weekly insights and subscriber-only offers. Join HERE today.
