NEW YORK, NY.- Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. announced that the Empire State Building (ESB) will partner with the Whitney Museum of American Art to design a one-of-a-kind light show, showcasing an interpretation of works of American art from the Whitney's collection. The light show, taking place on Friday, May 1, 2015, will unite the two icons as they mark historic occasions: the opening day of the Whitney's new building in Manhattan's Meatpacking District and the 84th anniversary of ESB.

Internationally-acclaimed lighting designer Marc Brickman will interpret twelve iconic works from the Whitney's collection by artists including Georgia O'Keeffe, Edward Hopper, Andy Warhol, Peter Halley and Barbara Kruger, utilizing the building's LED tower lights to create a dynamic show. Beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 1, each artwork-inspired lighting display will be showcased on the architectural landmark for thirty minutes, with the light show ending at 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 2. Most of the works that inspired the light show will be on view at the Whitney as part of the new building's inaugural exhibition, America Is Hard to See, May 1-September 27, 2015.

"The Empire State Building has brought music, sports and elections to life with our state-of-the-art lighting system, and now we're delighted to showcase the impressive artwork of the Whitney Museum of American Art," said Anthony E. Malkin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ESRT. "Our partnership with the Whitney will give the people of New York a celebration of two of the city's iconic institutions."

To kick off the celebration, ESB will host a lighting ceremony for invited media and guests on May 1. John B. Kessler, President and Chief Operating Officer of Empire State Realty Trust; Adam D. Weinberg, the Whitney's Alice Pratt Brown Director; Donna De Salvo, the Whitney's Chief Curator and Deputy Director for Programs; and some of the artists whose work will be interpreted in the light show will jointly flip the "switch" and light ESB in celebratory colors.

A special viewing for museum visitors will be held at the Whitney's new building at 99 Gansevoort Street on Friday, May 1, from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m., which has stunning views of ESB from its four, east-facing terraces. The works can be viewed online at www.whitney.org/ESB.

"We're thrilled to see these incredible works from the Whitney's collection interpreted on one of the most iconic buildings in the world—one that has been the subject of many an artist's work," said Donna De Salvo, the Whitney's Chief Curator and Deputy Director for Programs. "We can't imagine a more spectacular way in which to signal the opening of our new building and celebrate the art and artists of the United States."

Featured Artworks:
• Georgia O'Keeffe, Music Pink and Blue No. 2, 1918
• Edward Hopper, Railroad Sunset, 1929
• Chiura Obata, Evening Glow of Yosemite Fall, 1930
• Mary Ellen Bute, Synchromy No. 4: Escape, 1937-1938
• William H. Johnson, Blind Singer, c.1942
• Mark Rothko, Untitled (Blue, Yellow, Green on Red), 1954
• Jasper Johns, Three Flags, 1958
• Andy Warhol, Flowers, 1970
• Elizabeth Murray, Children Meeting, 1978
• Peter Halley, Blue Cell with Triple Conduit, 1986
• Barbara Kruger, We Don't Need Another Hero, 1987
• Cory Arcangel, Super Mario Clouds, 2002