Name: Susana Leval
E-mail address: sleval [at] nyc [dot] rr [dot] com
Location:

Comment (Fri Jan 19, 2007):
I worked with Oliver at El Museo del Barrio in East Harlem, a small Latino museum which was
virtually unknown when he joined our staff. . As its Director then, I was struck immediately by how
perfectly Oliver understood our mission and how innately he identified with a culture so very
different from the one he grew up in. This cultural empathy was one of his many intuitive, almost
magical qualities. During his tenure with us, he became completely engaged with El Museo’s programs
and staff, characteristically giving 200% of his talent and energy to design and produce for us the
most beautiful exhibitions we could have hoped for. He took our exhibition installations to new
levels of excellence in design. He had such pride in his work. One of my proudest moments as
Director of El Museo was when MoMA came calling -- they wanted him to leave El Museo and work for
them -- and he said no! Later, when he moved on to create his own firm, I knew that it was
wonderful
that more and more people could benefit from the excellence and integrity of his work ethic.

Sincerely,
Susana Leval, Director Emerita
El Museo del Barrio

Name: Erin Dodd
E-mail address: eed217 [at] nyu [dot] edu
Location:

Comment (Fri Jan 19, 2007):
To Oliver's family and friends, please accept my deepest sympathies. You are in my thoughts and
prayers.

I took Oliver's class in my final semester of the Visual Arts Admin program, and I wished I had
taken it earlier. He taught so much more than exhibition design. He taught respect for our visitors.
Every time I see universal design (or bad design!), I think of him. Recognize people's
limitations, and respect their desire to visit a gallery or m

Name: Helen Im and Peter Russell
E-mail address: helenim99 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Location:

Comment (Fri Jan 19, 2007):
We are deeply saddened by his loss and remain truly honored to have known and worked with Oliver. He
was a genuinely thoughtful person who clearly lived his life with great courage and integrity. We
will never forget him.

Name: Veronique Colaprete
E-mail address: coloprete79 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Location:

Comment (Fri Jan 19, 2007):
I am sending love and prayers to Oliver's family and close friends. I knew Oliver through
Janelle. Upon meeting him for the first time, I immediately could see why Janelle held him in such
high esteem and why she had chosen to work for him and be so loyal to him over the past few years.
He was a one of a kind boss and man. And I know he will be missed very much.

Name: Ann Marie Baranowski
E-mail address: ambarchitect [at] mindspring [dot] com
Location:

Comment (Fri Jan 19, 2007):
I am very saddened to receive this news. I only met Oliver this past fall when I participated as a
guest lecturer for his NYU class on exhibition design. That breif moment was enough to see his kind
spirit and generous heart. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of this wonderful and
caring man.