Quality in the arts

[Belacqua]

But in arguing for the superiority of one work of art over another, we can make arguments based on reasons. The debate can proceed based on reasonable persuasion.

But that's not actually an objective standard.  Without an objective standard, one can't make objective statements.

Boru

Is it possible to respond objectively to an if/then statement? 

For example, "if originality is better than cliches, then work X is better than work Y."