Terribly Obscure Question

[Scott]

No: HPFGUIDX 7998

I asked-
"There is a statue in Trafalgar Square. No, not the monument to 
Horatio Nelson, but a statue of a tree on a book on a boat, or 
something to that effect. I could use ANYTHING that anybody knows 
about it...I actually have a picture of it but I know nothing of it's 
history or even what it's called."
***
To which Neil Responded-
"Scott, I had a look at it on the way home from work.  For those who 
haven't seen it (most of you, I imagine), it's a very striking 
sculpture depicting a leafless tree sitting askew on top of a closed 
book, which is balanced on top of a giant rat.  The twisting roots of 
the tree are visible and trail over the other components and onto the 
plinth.
 
"I can't recall the title of it - something arty like 'in spite of 
the development of knowledge' - but I think the sculptor's name was 
is Bill Woodrow.  The plaque said something about the sculpture being 
a reference to the development of knowledge in humankind (I should 
have noted this down, shouldn't I?).  My interpretation of it is that 
the tree represents growth or evolution, the book is the knowledge of 
the human race and the rat is the tendency to use that knowledge in a 
corrupting or devious way.  Because the sculpture is so awkwardly 
balanced it seems that knowledge and growth could topple at any 
moment leaving only the corruption underneath.

"There was much debate about what should be put on the empty plinth 
in Trafalgar Square and I'm ashamed to say I hadn't even noticed that 
it was now occupied by something so interesting. Thanks for making me 
look under my own nose!"
***
Thanks a bunch.  I know this makes no sense whatsoever but it really 
helps my fanfic...

Scott