A Danish artist with a history of stunts might have gone too far this time. Andreas Hvid’s latest posting features himself and an unnamed woman trespassing on a pyramid in Egypt. People across the globe are angry about it and authorities are investigating.
Andreas Hvid is a Danish photographer who likes to indulge in a little “urban exploration” and has a history of pulling wacky (and questionable) stunts. There are a few themes in Hvid’s work, like photographing places humans haven’t been in a while. Take a look at this photo from an abandoned train yard in Budapest:

Another common motif for Hvid is taking photographs from somewhere very high up, like this crane shot:
Finally, Hvid also likes to incorporate that ~sizzle~ factor in his pics, which frequently feature scantily clad women:
Here’s a photo of combining all three of Hvid’s favorite themes—an arched-back model au naturale in an abandoned monument at the top of the highest peak in the Central Balkan Mountains:
AKA the Hvid Jackpot.
Hvid keeps upping the ante with his stunts, and he might have peaked (no pun intended) with his latest. He (allegedly) snapped some steamy pics and filmed a video on top of one of Egypt’s Great Pyramids.
And people are pissed, both because you really shouldn’t desecrate the last surviving of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and because Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country where—needless to say—‘doin’ it’ in public is frowned upon.
Personally as, I said, I think it's stupid and uncultured behavior. He should have known better than to disrespect a 4500 year old monument, which is among the greatest wonders ever produced by humankind. I suppose it would be good diplomacy for the danish goverment to say so.
— JJ (@me_marco) December 10, 2018
Hvid has said in an interview that he wants to “stay out of Egypt in the future, as I probably risk being [arrested] if I go back.” He also expressed dismay at the outrage, saying “I’m sad that so many people have become so angry. But I have also received a positive response from a lot of Egyptians—something I think is worth remembering”
Some people are questioning the authenticity of the photos, claiming there’s no way he could have navigated such a heavily guarded landmark without getting caught and also that the size of the stones aren’t right:
According to NBC News,
“One hundred percent it is photoshopped,” Zahi Hawass, an archaeologist who is the former Egyptian Minister of Antiquities and former director general of Giza Plateau, told NBC News. “There is no way any one can enter the Pyramids area at night.” In reference to images of the couple on the pyramid, he added: “Those are not the stones of the big Pyramid. They’re too small.”
But Hvid claims the only thing that was staged in the photograph was the physical act of love. (Which is a shame if it’s true, if you go that far you might as well, uh, “finish.”) Egyptian authorities are investigating the incident to determine whether or not Hvid actually did the dirty deed (by which I mean trespass and desecrate a world treasure).
Finally, DO NOT EVER DO THIS! These are priceless historical treasures and they deserve a lot better than suffering damage at the hands (or other appendages) of some frisky Instagram stunt artists.
h/t: Vice