Three polished stainless steel legs stand independent from each other at the base.

As the viewer looks up, the legs bend toward one another to meet almost 20 feet in the air. This base supports other pieces, more independent, arm-like and dancing in the wind.

East Lansing's newest public sculpture, "Anima Librata," was unveiled to the public, Sunday afternoon.

At the ceremony, the sculpture, which hovers over the Metzger/Fabian Fountain on the 500 block of the city's downtown, was a comparison to the East Lansing community.

"The pieces of the statue, I feel, represent the community," sculpture creator Evan Lewis of Chicago told a group of about 50 community members at the ceremony.

"The pieces become like individuals - some acting alone, but all ultimately combined together to act as a system - just like a city."

In 2002, the East Lansing Art Commission announced a call to artists to build the 18th public art sculpture in downtown East Lansing. Lewis was one of about 120 artists who entered from around the world.

From the 120 entries, three were put on display for public comment at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, before the commission reviewed all comments and chose a winner.

Michael Sundermann, of the East Lansing Public Art Committee, said Lewis' entry was chosen because it reflected just what the commission was looking for.

"First of all, the sculpture was the most favorable in the public's eye," Sundermann said. "The commission thought the work was unique and the piece would look good year 'round."

The 26-foot tall, $29,000 sculpture was funded by an East Lansing ordinance for art, which sets aside one tenth of one percent of the city's general fund for public art in the city.

Sundermann said he thought the funds for Lewis' creation were accumulated from the past two years of city funds.

Even though the city is in the midst of its third consecutive budget crunch, the council has seen it fit to donate the funds in previous years.

East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows said in times of a budget crunch, past councils have chosen not to follow the ordinance, but added that the city has worked hard to improve and renovate city art.

"Art is an important part of our community," Meadows said. "We are the city of the arts."

The sculpture, made completely of tubular steel, was given a name from submissions by the public.

Chris Van Wyck, a city employee and MSU adjunct professor of graphic design, came up with "Anima Librata," meaning "balanced soul."

Van Wyck said the sculpture seems to be fueled by the water in the fountain, even though the work moves with the wind.

"The water, I believe, represents a life force for the sculpture, or a soul," Van Wyck said. "The sculpture is always moving and changing from the wind and water."

After the ceremony, as children and their parents played in the fountain water underneath the statue, Laurie Linscott, an onlooker, once again talked of community.

"I can see people of many age differences coming here together and enjoying this for years to come," she said.