There is a body of quasi-copyright principles that apply to artistic works called 'moral rights.' This framework recognizes a "right of integrity" which prevents unauthorized modifications of the work.
This approach seem pretty strange to those used to the American system of copyright law and U.S. law does not fully recognize them. But, being Italian, this framework is probably informing the artist's views here.
This approach seem pretty strange to those used to the American system of copyright law and U.S. law does not fully recognize them. But, being Italian, this framework is probably informing the artist's views here.
Here is a brief write-up: https://cyber.harvard.edu/property/library/moralprimer.html