For Korean contemporary art to be recognized internationally and successfully establish itself on the global stage, the establishment of a systematic culture of documentation is essential. This culture of documentation goes beyond simply archiving works; it involves analyzing the aesthetic and art historical value of artworks and systematically organizing and conveying these insights to future generations and the international community. The key to this process is conducting in-depth aesthetic evaluations and critical analyses that clearly reveal the unique value of the artist's work.
 
The Lack of a Documentation Culture and Its Problems

One of the most significant factors hindering the development of the Korean contemporary art scene is the absence of a culture that systematically documents and evaluates an artist's work using aesthetic and art historical methods. For example, while Dansaekhwa (monochrome painting) has recently garnered significant attention in the international art world, it still faces challenges in gaining sustained recognition due to the lack of systematic documentation and analysis of its art historical value and significance.
 
The Importance of Catalogue Raisonné

A Catalogue Raisonné is a systematically organized record of an artist's works and plays a crucial role in elevating the value of the artist and their work in the international art market. The fact that not a single Korean contemporary artist has published a Catalogue Raisonné in a timely manner highlights the profound lack of awareness regarding the importance of documentation in Korean art.
 
The only way to introduce an artist on the international stage is through the exhibition of actual works or, failing that, through photographs of the works accompanied by thorough aesthetic and art historical documentation. Therefore, for the internationalization of Korean contemporary art, there is an urgent need for the systematic documentation and evaluation of each artist's work through Catalogue Raisonné and similar efforts.

When determining the price of works at major sales conducted by auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s, the most critical consideration is the artist’s art historical and aesthetic achievements. Prices are set based on these evaluations, and sustained price increases are only possible when supported by such assessments. 
 
The art market in developed countries has historically shown higher returns than stock investments over the long term, and even during economic downturns, it has demonstrated more stable value retention compared to stocks, as evidenced by various statistics and records. This is because art is not merely seen as an investment vehicle but is regarded as a cultural heritage of humanity, carrying profound spiritual value.

In contrast, the contemporary art market in Korea often experiences drastic price fluctuations in response to economic changes, with once-popular artists suddenly disappearing from the market. This volatility is largely due to the fact that much of the Korean art market operates with a focus on capital investment value rather than on the intrinsic cultural and spiritual significance of the artwork.

Aesthetic and Art Historical Documentation Methods
 
Art history is an expansive collection of countless artists and works. However, only a select few are remembered and continue to be studied over time. For an artist to leave a lasting mark in art history, each of their works must undergo meticulous aesthetic and art historical evaluation. Such evaluation goes beyond mere documentation, analyzing the essence of the work and its historical context to imbue it with lasting significance for future generations.
 
Aesthetic evaluation primarily focuses on analyzing the intrinsic value of the work. This includes the artist’s techniques, use of color, composition, and choice of subject matter. Art is more than just a visual pleasure; it conveys messages and achieves harmony through its aesthetic beauty. Therefore, the artist must clearly understand and articulate the aesthetic value of their work, either through self-documentation or in collaboration with critics for in-depth analysis. Emphasizing any visual or conceptual innovations in the work is crucial for ensuring its value in the future.
 
Next, art historical evaluation places the work within its temporal context, analyzing its relationship with social, cultural, and technological developments. This involves understanding how the artist’s work interacted with the art movements, social issues, and technological advances of the time.
 
For example, the Impressionist movement challenged traditional academic standards and introduced new visual experiences, securing its place in art history.

Impressionist painters were significantly influenced by Isaac Newton's theory of light, which originated from his studies on color. In 1666, Newton utilized a prism to demonstrate that sunlight could be decomposed into various colors, proving that light inherently consists of a spectrum of colors. His findings are detailed extensively in his work "Opticks," where he proposed that color is not an intrinsic property of objects but a feature of light itself.
 
This discovery profoundly impacted how Impressionist painters observed and depicted nature. Based on Newton's theory, they shifted their focus from the objects themselves to capturing the effects of light reflected and refracted by objects. This approach is evident in their practice of observing nature at specific times and under specific lighting conditions, aiming to capture the light and color of those moments realistically.

For example, painters like Monet and Renoir repeatedly painted the same landscapes under different lighting conditions to explore how changes in light affected colors. Ultimately, Newton's light theory significantly contributed to the development of Impressionism, laying the foundation for modern approaches to handling light and color in art.
 
Documenting the meaning and impact of an artist’s work within such contexts is essential for ensuring that the artist is not merely a figure of their time but a key player in art history.

Conclusion
 
Therefore, if an artist wishes for their work to grow in value and be recognized in both the domestic and international art fields in the future, they must adopt a practice of documenting and organizing their work from an aesthetic and art historical perspective, starting from the early stages of their career.
 
Building this culture of documentation is the most fundamental and crucial starting point for the internationalization strategy of Korean contemporary art. Through this, the uniqueness and artistic value of Korean art can be introduced to the world, providing a foundation for Korean art to secure a significant position in global art history.