It’s My Party!
Relaxing Realism – Philip Ringler & James Saxon
Relaxing Realism is the conceptual photography collaboration of Philip Ringler and James Saxon, a duo known for their ambitious and meticulously crafted photographic work. Since 2012, they have created three major projects that explore themes of artifice, ritual, simulation, and the shifting nature of reality. Their work seamlessly blends fine art photography with technical innovation, resulting in striking, thought-provoking images.
Philip leads the conceptual development, sketching initial ideas and designing lighting, while James specializes in engineering, set construction, and special effects, including pyrotechnics and mechanical triggers. However, their process is deeply collaborative, with ideas constantly evolving through their shared creative dialogue.
Philip Ringler, a photographer for over 30 years, holds a BFA in Photography from California State University, East Bay, and an MFA from John F. Kennedy University’s Arts and Consciousness Program. His work is driven by philosophy, cultural critique, and the exploration of “reality” within photography.
James Saxon, with a BFA in Photography from San Jose State University and an MA in Multimedia from CSU East Bay, is both a technical enabler and empathic visionary. His expertise in fabrication and experimental techniques brings their elaborate concepts to life.
Together, they push the boundaries of photography, creating images that challenge perception and engage with contemporary dialogues in art and philosophy.
It’s My Party!
2012
For my 36th birthday, I embarked on a unique photo project and performance art collaboration with my good friend James Saxon, turning an otherwise ordinary day into an exploration of consumer culture, nostalgia, and humor. The idea stemmed from a collection of unused gift cards that James had accumulated over the years—thoughtful yet uninspired presents from his grandmother to various mundane corporate chains.
One day, I jokingly proposed, “Why don’t we just use them all in one day?” And so, the concept was born: an “epically mediocre birthday.”
Drawing inspiration from the birthday-themed episodes of The Office—particularly Dwight Schrute’s hilariously lackluster sign, “It is your birthday.”—we set out on a deliberately underwhelming yet strangely exhilarating journey. The result was a series of 48 images, capturing the full extent of this absurd yet endearing celebration. The project is only exhibited in its entirety, reinforcing its narrative as a single, immersive experience rather than just a collection of individual moments.
Through this playful yet thoughtful performance, It’s My Party! reflects on the intersection of personal milestones and corporate environments, highlighting both the banality and the unexpected joy found in the seemingly mundane.
