'Tribute in Lights' to brighten New York

Artists LaVerdiere, left and Bennett helped to develop the "Tribute in Light" memorial.

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(CNN) -- On Monday, two columns of light will shoot up into the sky over New York to commemorate the buildings and lives that were destroyed on September 11. The lights, arrayed to evoke the collapsed towers, will be lit every evening until April 13.

CNN anchor Daryn Kagan spoke with Julian LaVerdiere, one of the artists who came up with the idea for "Tribute in Light," and John Bennett, who is part of the architectural team bringing the project to life.

KAGAN: Julian, let's start with you. I remember it wasn't too long after September 11 that I first saw this idea floating around out there. What is the idea inspired by?

LAVERDIERE: I think that one of the most remarkable things that happened in the city after the 11th was the spontaneous candlelight vigils that took place everywhere in the city. In Union Square Park, there were tens of thousands of candles lit by citizens from all nations and interests, unified together. In that spirit, we wanted to create an image that would reflect the unity that the city was showing.

KAGAN: So it is one thing to have an idea, and I can understand how, light being part of the theme of this from the beginning . But John, logistically making it happen and making it come to light, so to speak, that is a whole other department -- and that's where you come in.

BENNETT: That's true. Actually, one of the interesting things about this project is my partner, Gustavo Bonevardi, and I also sort of simultaneously came up with a very similar idea in order to sort of fill the void in the skyline.

KAGAN: So tell me how you make it happen. We are talking 2 million light bulbs.

BENNETT: Actually, there are only 88 bulbs, but each bulb has the power of 20,000 100-watt bulbs that you might find in your home.

KAGAN: I can't go in my utility closet at home (and) find these kind of bulbs.

BENNETT: No, no, these are xenon bulbs. General Electric had these manufactured and is donating them to this project. They are incredibly powerful ... Cannon, the company, is providing the actual lights. And they are arranged in rectangular arrays, 50-foot rectangular arrays, on a site just adjacent to Ground Zero.

KAGAN: So, beginning Monday night, which will be six months since 9-11, what will New Yorkers be able to see?

LAVERDIERE: New Yorkers will all be able to see this tribute, which is intended to show the immense gratitude and valor and respect for those who were lost on 9-11.

KAGAN: There were a couple logistical things you guys had to get around. John,

first of all, there are people who live near there and might not appreciate these bright lights shining in their windows. So the memorial will be turned off at 11:00 p.m. -- is that right?

BENNETT: That's correct. It's going to be turned off at least by 11:00 p.m. And if there are very low clouds, that might create a glare, and it will be turned off as well. Also, the National Audubon Society is going to be monitoring the situation to make sure it doesn't become an issue with the birds.

KAGAN: Certainly, your intent is not to cause more problems, turning off people, but to turn on their spirit and warm their heart. We wish you well with that. We certainly will look for that site Monday night, and we will be showing the pictures here on Tuesday morning.