Art, for Art's Sake

Plato seems to be against art with no new value, deeming them, an "imitation of an imitation."  He does not mention that one could simply enjoy the aesthetic value of viewing art.  Why? I personally think that one reason Plato opposed imitative art was not only because he did not think that art had core value, but also because he was worried about the way that art could subliminally influence the viewer.  He gives this example in The Republic, when he notes the analogy of a stick thrust in water.  The stick seems bent, although upon extracting it from the water, one can clearly see the illusion that took place.  I think that observation has even more merit today.  Whether or not the subliminally influential media arts have a positive or negative effect on viewers, there is no doubt that in this day and age, we are completely surrounded by it.  From television, internet,  newspapers, radio, and our pop culture, I think Plato's warning has more significance now than ever before.