Virgil Aldrich refers to the Aesthetic philosophy of Monroe C. Beardsley (Aesthetics, 1958). According to Beardsley, Aesthetic perception is a special kind of perception which is informed by experience and an aesthetic education. The more you know about art, the more you see. This is undoubtedly true. However, it is unsustainable from the pragmatic point of view. There becomes just insider art and outsider art. The Term “outsider Art” is restricted by the Insiders as referring to the work of savants, the retarded and the ignorant. All other aesthetic production either addresses insiders or else is relegated to a sub status of “Art in the Park.”
As a participant in the Marketplace of the Park, I take objection. According to Beardsley’s view, aesthetic perception is a product of artistic education. Thus, it is not a natural perception; my own art seeks to bridge the gap between the specialist and the natural or native aesthetic perception. It boils down to the fact that most folks have not taken 8 college level hours of art history, not do they frequent museums and galleries nor slaver over art books and magazines (as I do). I happen to enjoy viewing and studying art. That is my profession. I cannot demand this of my audience.
Granted, there must be a type of perception which is special to the art object. However, the producer should not restrict the audience to the advanced practitioner, grant writers, art administrators, and the artistic in-crowd. The valid work of art must address the wider audience.
