I think the miss here is not the act but the haste. I can think of 2 or 3 alternatives that would also satisfy the liability concerns and would not have jeopardized the piece. (For the record, I am not the person who complained, and I am somewhat ambivalent on the specifics). It may be that the chosen approach was best but a bit more time to weigh the options would not have hurt. (Obviously, one can also over analyze and/or engage in groupthink, but I am not suggesting either) So, if the outcome is to pause anytime modification is considered, I think the best has occurred.
Liability really wasn't a concern at all. The platform is surprisingly light. No different than hanging a framed picture on the wall, except that this is more important than a picture. I used a lag bolt into a stud simply because I have a habit of being nervous about anchors and molly bolts and stuff. As I now realize and as you/others said, there are many ways I could've hung the platform that would not have involved making a hole. So you are correct about rushing it. We rushed because, well, we're in a rush to get the new museum "done" as much as possible in the next week and a half before VCF East. Lesson(s) learned all around.