While not technically a Design Diversion, it was the Brant Foundation Art Study Center in Greenwich, CT that started it all. At the end of 2009, I organised a visit to the gallery that houses Peter Brant’s impressive art collection (including contemporary and pop art, some great modern furniture and, perhaps the pièce de résistance, Mauricio Cattelan’s naked bust of Stephanie Seymour, which was hanging over the fireplace).

We had a great time, and so, as a way to achieve my 2010 resolution to get out and see more of New York, I decided to curate a series of similar excursions.

In the unrelated-but-interesting category, Koons is currently suing producers of balloon dog bookends, claiming copyright infringement, and Brant and Seymour seem to be reconciling.

UPDATE as of 2/3/11: Park Life (makers of the balloon dog bookends) countersued, Koons’ lawyers folded, and all is well in the universe.