Danto's "is"

As we discussed in class, Arthur Danto defined his own idea of the word "is" in relation to the artworld. He expressed that this "is of artistic identification" is vital to the viewer's understanding of art. If one cannot master this is, one will be as "a child who sees sticks as sticks." However, I did not fully believe this claim. I think that one can definitely still appreciate art simply as art in itself, without prior knowledge of this "is of artistic identification."

Q: Do you agree with Danto's concept of the "is of artistic identification"? Why or why not?