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This Saturday, a projection-mapped display will cover the Empire State Building to raise awareness about endangered species

This Saturday, a projection-mapped display will cover the Empire State Building to raise awareness about endangered species

As supertall residential towers reach new heights in Manhattan, the Empire State Building still stands strong in New York City‘s skyline—especially after dusk. The building’s crown is quintessential New York and a sky-high representation of holidays, anniversaries, and the day’s news in colorful light. On Saturday night, the Empire State Building will be used for even more.

The New York Times reported that images of endangered species will be projected onto the Art Deco icon to raise awareness about mass extinction. The project comes from the minds of Travis Threlkel, the chief creative officer of Obscura Digital, and Louie Psihoyos, founder of the Oceanic Preservation Society and director of The Cove.  Saturday’s event is also a means to bring attention to Racing Extinction (trailer above), Psihoyos’ latest documentary.

According to the Times, “A snow leopard, a golden lion tamarin and manta rays, along with snakes, birds and various mammals and sea creatures will be projected onto a space 375 feet tall and 186 feet wide covering 33 floors of the southern face of the Empire State Building — and beyond, thanks to cellphones and Internet connections.”

The project, which will reportedly cost more than $1 million, is being partially covered by a philanthropic foundation founded by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing.

The event will of course have an increased potency given the current firestorm surrounding the killing of the beloved Cecil the lion by a Minnesota dentist.

The images will be displayed from 9:00p.m. to 12:00a.m.

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