Swirl may refer to:
Swirl were a Sydney, Australia-based indie rock band, forming around 1990 and breaking up in 2002. They released three albums and a number of EP's, mostly through independent Sydney label Half A Cow.
Their debut album Aurora (1992) was mostly rock with some shoegazer elements, such as extensive use of guitar fuzz and reverb on vocals. Their next album, 1994's The Last Unicorn went further into shoegazing territory, with layered, feedback-washed guitar solos and ambient instrumental tracks between songs; it also featured a guest performance by Lara Goodridge, later of the FourPlay String Quartet, on violin. In subsequent years, Swirl released a few EPs and played live in Sydney, Melbourne and other Australian cities.
Their last studio album, Light Fill My Room, was released in 2001 on independent record label Um & Ah; it had been recorded a few years earlier and financed by Festival Mushroom Records, although the major label dropped them and the release was thus held up. Light Fill My Room was a more polished, radio-friendly affair; it had elements of Swirl's shoegazing sound, but also ballads and even a children's choir on one song. Swirl broke up in December 2002; the various members are pursuing other musical projects.
In fluid dynamics, an eddy is the swirling of a fluid and the reverse current created when the fluid flows past an obstacle. The moving fluid creates a space devoid of downstream-flowing fluid on the downstream side of the object. Fluid behind the obstacle flows into the void creating a swirl of fluid on each edge of the obstacle, followed by a short reverse flow of fluid behind the obstacle flowing upstream, toward the back of the obstacle. This phenomenon is most visible behind large emergent rocks in swift-flowing rivers.
Another possible type of turbulence is the vortex. This notion is now applied to gases, which have the same properties as liquids. Here, no void is created, but only an area of lower pressure, but again, a backflow causes the gas to rotate.
Eddies are common in the ocean, and range in diameter from centimeters to hundreds of kilometers. The smallest scale eddies may last for a matter of seconds, while the larger features may persist for months to years.
Praxis is an art collaborate composed of a husband and wife team. Brainard Carey (born October 7, 1968) is an American, Delia Bajo (born November 2, 1974) is a Spaniard. They live and work in New York City and New Haven, CT.
Praxis was formed in 1999. They had their first major exhibition in The Whitney Biennial in 2002 and they were reviewed by the critic and philosopher Arthur Danto for The Nation.
Whitney Museum of American Art, 2002, Praxis. Photo courtesy of Praxis
Whitney Museum of American Art, 2002, Praxis. Photo courtesy of Praxis
Whitney Museum of American Art, 2002, Praxis. Photo courtesy of Praxis
Whitney Museum of American Art, 2002, Praxis. Photo courtesy of Praxis
Whitney Museum of American Art, 2002, Praxis. Photo courtesy of Praxis
Whitney Museum of American Art, 2002, Praxis. Photo courtesy of Praxis
As Debra Singer said in the Whitney Biennial catalog that year, "as part of an ongoing performance project, this two-person collaborative team offers gallery visitors a menu of four free services: foot washes, hugs, Band-Aid applications to help heal visible or non-visible wounds, and gifts of dollar bills. Their interactive, nurturing performances offer alternative modes of economic and social exchange that serve as a comforting antidote to the potentially alienating effects of a world often dominated by technology and consumerism."
Praxis is an educational program that aims to teach entrepreneurship to young people and that a traditional college education is not the only way to success. Praxis was founded by Isaac Morehouse in 2013.
After interacting with businesspeople and students while working for an educational nonprofit, Morehouse noticed a skills gap between recently-graduated college students and employers. Having been homeschooled himself and then exposed to a university-education, Morehouse noticed the disparity in skills taught and skills demanded by the professional world, as well as the frustration faced by students who expected a job upon graduation. This led Morehouse to realize that most of the perceived value of a college degree comes from its value as a signaling mechanism, showing employers that a candidate is superior to those without the signal. Employers told Morehouse that a lack of work experience was the primary reason they did not hire candidates with college degrees. The lack of the strength in the signal led Morehouse to found Praxis in 2013 as an alternative signal for employers and students, combining a traditional liberal arts education with work experience than that which is gained in college.
Praxis, full name Praxis Doe-Het-Zelf Center B.V. (Praxis Do-It-Yourself Centre B.V.) is a Dutch Hardware store-chain, headquartered in Diemen. The company started in 1978 in Venlo and as of 2009 it has 136 stores spread over the Netherlands of which 26 have an extended assortment, the so called "Megastores". Praxis employs about 5000 people.
Praxis focusses on construction products and on decorative do-it-yourself products. It also supplies garden materials. It is known to the general public for its sponsoring of the RTL 4 television program Eigen Huis & Tuin.
Praxis is part of the Maxeda retail group. Current board member of Maxeda responsible for the DIY section is Nick Wilkinson.