Vale Basil Christensen ~ one of the industry’s most talented art directors and risk-takers
(L-R: Damon O’Leary with Basil Christensen, Barcelona – Heineken shoot 2005ish)
By Damon O’Leary.
In memoriam.
It seems many people have already heard the terribly sad news that one of our industry’s best art directors, my great friend and collaborator Basil Christensen, passed away on Sunday after suffering a heart attack.
I’m writing because I feel it’s important for me to say something about Basil but also to say how all our our hearts go out to Julie and Olivia.
Bas and I evolved our careers together; from London to Wellington to Auckland when, after 25 years in adland, Basil and Julie finally decided to pursue their dream of living in the South of France.
I’ve put together a few photos that hopefully show the huge amount of fun we had as creatives in this crazy business.
Long hours, weekends and weekends and weekends of work, fighting about ideas, agreeing about ideas, shoots overseas (lots of them), awards, meeting and working with amazing creatives and suits and planners and designers and producers and directors – many who became lifelong friends.
And of course the legendary years of lunches at Cibo and NSP.
We had a great run on Tui Beer, Steinlager, DB Draught, Yellow Pages, White Pages, Husqvarna, Womans Day, TV2, TV1, Metro Mag, Cleo, WWF, etc etc etc…
Fucking amazing days shared with an amazingly talented person who, much to my delight and the bane of suits, always made the logo as small as humanly possible.
While creating beautiful art direction.
Always a risk taker, Basil traded in his amazing Waiheke winery ‘Christensen’s Estate’ about 10 years ago for a Chateau in St Emillion.
He and Julie turned it into a thriving, up-market B&B, and they were in the process of renovating another incredible Chateau.
Basil was dedicated to Julie and daughter Olivia who has obviously inherited his artistic abilities.
All of the above is totally inadequate to encompass everything that was great about Baz, but we hope to organize something in the next few days or in a week or so where everyone can get together and have a wine or ten to remember Basil.
I know that’s something he would absolutely approve of.
(Clio Awards, New York 1990)
(L-R: Baz and Damon, AXIS Awards, 1994)
(Dennis Hitchcock with Baz, IBM shoot, 1994)
(Baz, Luke Perry, Justin Mowday and Damon O’Leary, 1999ish L.A.)
(TV2 shoot – L.A. again, Robin Walters, Esther Watkins, Damon O’Leary, Potia de Rossi, Basil Christensen)
(L-R: Johnny McCabe, Damon and Baz, 2000)
(Damon and Baz in the back of a limo in London, 2002ish)
14 Comments
This is some really shitty news. Thanks for a great write up Damon, and especially the photos. In the Saatchi days Damon-and-Baz were the go to, reliable team for great work. As a suit they were a delight to work with, delivering what you needed on time and usually leaving plenty of time for lunch too. Like anyone who’s had an advertising career and wondered if they missed the exit-sign (maybe during that long lunch), we all applauded Basil for his exit. Buying the French chateau, art directing renovations and grapevines with the family in tow. Glad he got to live the dream before it all ended way too soon.
Thanks Aimee – lovely words.
So sorry to hear this sad news, Damon. I can imagine you are reeling – you guys were such a unit, it truly took me months to figure out who was who. I am sure Basil would love your words and photos, & I can imagine these are the tip of the iceberg of the memories made, most of them probably un-publishable. A couple of legends. Go well, Basil.
Yep – I had to censor a few…thanks for saying such kind things Ange.
So sad to hear that my ex neighbour down the hill on Waiheke and colleague Jeep fan at the time passed away while living his dream in France. My condolences for Julie and Olivia and their family. It was great to follow your dream steps through our social media contact. Cees van Heemert.
Oh bugger. When you thought 2020 couldn’t throw another curve ball. Such sad, sad news Damon. My heart goes out to his beloveds, to you. I remember him as gentle, considered and never to be underestimated. Such a talent, such a loss. My friends bought his house in Grey Lynn…a stepping stone to other homes in France. So glad he/they lived the dream. But yeah, shitty, shitty news. Wherever he is, it will be art directed just so and there will be wine. Much love, V.
Gutted. One of the nicest guys I have ever worked with. Fond memories from way back when at Chetwynd-Haddons. He shall be missed. Hugs mate. x
Yes – will always remember those time Toby – where Baz and Julie met.
Terrible news Damon … always such a lovely guy. Much love to his family and friends . Tania and Ian
Beautiful tribute Damon. Totally devastated by this news. Loved working with you and Basil and will always remember solving the advertising world’s problems over a few cleansing ales. Looking forward to celebrating a life lived in style and to the full. Travel safely Basil.
http://www.adeevee.com/2000/12/lion-breweries-steinlager-lip-tongue-nipple-print/
A crisp clean bite.
This is the campaign I will always remember Basil by.
Not just because it was a strikingly original and impeccably crafted visual metaphor, but because to me it summed up who he was.
In life, many (or let’s be honest most) of us nibble around the edges.
While we may harbour a taste for more, the reality of having to sink our teeth in fully is often what prevents us from ever getting there.
Basil had great teeth, (and hair and eyebrows!) and he never had a problem using them to bite off as much as he could chew and more.
He used them to severe the cord from advertising and bite into, and savour a deliciously rich and rewarding life beyond it.
It’s times like these you question your own life and mortality (hell I am after this terrible news and a few wines).
And no matter how much you think about it, the answer is always the same.
It’s not the amount of years you’ve lived that defines your life, it’s what you did with them that matters.
Basil’s life mattered, because he didn’t nibble, he took a crisp clean bite and lived it very, very well.
Brilliantly said Andrew.
Beautifully said Damon, he sounds like a true legend and the two of you created some incredible work together. So sorry for your loss and that of the industry. Thank you for sharing your words and photos. Thinking of you, and of course his family. Ngaio
Great words Damon. Baz was such a great person and creative! This is such sad news.
Both you and Baz had such a great way of viewing the world – through the lens of curiosity and laughs! We stood in awe and envy as he boldly packed up and headed for France. My heart goes out to you and his fam. Nate.