I don't disagree, and I don't see why you think I'd consider it a good idea to muck about with things without understanding the intent – but the perception of the intent (and its fitness for purpose) can vary. A work of art, in the sense I was using it, could be “intent realized”. A piece in its final form.

I won't speak to this particular anecdote; I've found making judgements on intents based on a vague second-hand retelling of a one-sided account isn't useful. It sounds like communication was a total failure, probably on both sides.