WIRED– One real symbol of New York\u2019s resilience sits atop the building\u2019s 408-foot spire\u2014a rotating white beacon composed of 264 50-watt LED modules that make it visible from as far away as Connecticut (a feature planned, but never implemented, for the original twin towers). As for the spire, it contains about 1,500 LEDs of its own\u2014which could allow for a breathtaking light show. \u201cWe can define any hue or brightness level,\u201d says Mark Domino, the digital-media artist behind the building\u2019s illuminations. \u201cThere\u2019s an RGB value charged to each light that can be controlled independently.\u201d The result is millions of potential color combinations and even animation (building operator Durst Organization is developing a control system). Domino has real-time control over the lighting program via his phone, though he says he doesn\u2019t know whether management will let him use this custom-built software when 1WTC opens later this year. And if he does get to program the lights live? \u201cI would love to pool buildings together into one choreographed light show,\u201d he says. That is, if the Empire State Building isn\u2019t too intimidated to play along.<\/p>\n