Selected Publications by Doris Bittar

Feature Articles

Doris Bittar - WritingsThe Islamic Milieu, Al Jadid 2004
“The Islamic Milieu,” Al Jadid 2004, introduces an alternate perspective to evaluating “Islamic” art based on its ties to ancient, tribal, biblical, scientific and Byzantine traditions.
Doris Bittar - WritingsInside Arabic Calligraphy,” DIWAN 2007, Arab American National Museum
“Inside Arabic Calligraphy,” DIWAN 2007, Arab American National Museum, shows how Calligraphy’s architectonic structure creates spatial realms.
Doris Bittar - WritingsA Nationalism Among Nations: the Palestinian Pavilion in Venice, Muraqqa 2009
“A Nationalism Among Nations: the Palestinian Pavilion in Venice,” Muraqqa 2009 evaluates the Palestinian Pavilion’s evolving participation in Venice and the world.

Artist Profiles & Catalogs

Doris Bittar - WritingsEmily Jacir Crossing Boundaries Canvas, 2009
Emily Jacir “Crossing Boundaries” Canvas, 2009, Jacir’s influence on activism is highlighted.
Doris Bittar - WritingsDallal City of Los Angels (COLA) Artist’s Catalog Essay, 2009
Dallal City of Los Angels (COLA) Artist’s Catalog Essay, 2009, shows how Dallal intertwines personal narratives with large geo-historical/political issues.
Doris Bittar - WritingsForging Cultural Rites/Rights,” catalog essay for exhibit We Make the Road by Walking at the Mizel Museum, Denver, Colorado, 2006
“Forging Cultural Rites/Rights,” catalog essay for exhibit We Make the Road by Walking at the Mizel Museum, Denver, Colorado, 2006. Artists Beth Krensky and Sama Alshaibi, a Jew and a Palestinian/Iraqi, respectively create a dialogue between the historical and psychic pulls of their installations. The catalog also includes an essay by Ella Shohat.

Interviews

Doris Bittar - WritingsGrace Feuerverger, author of Oasis of Dreams, Al Jadid 2002
Grace Feuerverger, author of Oasis of Dreams, Al Jadid 2002. How may dialogue be possible between Israelis and Palestinians?
Doris Bittar - WritingsJoudah Interview, poet of The Earth in the Attic, Al Jadid 2008
Joudah Interview, poet of The Earth in the Attic, Al Jadid 2008, explores Joudah’s dual role as a poet and doctor.

Reviews

Doris Bittar - WritingsSelves & Others, review of film on Edward Said, Al Jadid, 2005 & Masharef 2006
Selves & Others, review of film on Edward Said, Al Jadid, 2005 & Masharef 2006. This review was also reprinted in Masharef, based in Haifa. It explores the conflicting stances that Said posited between his individual alienation from the land he fought for.
Doris Bittar - WritingsArt as Simulation: A View from Israel, review of Death's Showcase Al Jadid 2001
“Art as Simulation: A View from Israel,” review of Death's Showcase Al Jadid 2001. At least, ten years ago, many Israeli artists looked at the dark side of their various histories and some explored a queasy identification with Nazi culture.
Doris Bittar - WritingsThe Modular Elastic: the poetry of Fady Joudah” review of The Earth in the Attic, Al Jadid 2008
“The Modular Elastic: the poetry of Fady Joudah” review of The Earth in the Attic, Al Jadid 2008. Joudah’s poetry has a built-in provocation that offers the read to play and struggle with structure and meaning.
Doris Bittar - WritingsA Bridge Between Cairo’s Monuments and Its Streets, review of Legends of the House of the Cretan Woman, Al Jadid, 2002
“A Bridge Between Cairo’s Monuments and Its Streets,” review of Legends of the House of the Cretan Woman, Al Jadid, 2002. Get the book! It has beautiful illustrations and shows how monuments that stand alone were not intended to do so.
Doris Bittar - WritingsOasis for Narrative: a Tool for Change in Jewish-Palestinian Dialogue,” book review of Grace Feuerverger’s, Oasis of Dreams, Al Jadid 2002
“Oasis for Narrative: a Tool for Change in Jewish-Palestinian Dialogue,” book review of Grace Feuerverger’s, Oasis of Dreams, Al Jadid 2002
Doris Bittar - WritingsUnveiling the West. book review of Veil, Al Jadid 2002
“Unveiling the West.” book review of Veil, Al Jadid 2002. Don’t let the title of this book scare you. The analysis is encompassing and profound.
Doris Bittar - WritingsThe Perennial Refugees,” book review of In Hope & Despair, Al Jadid 2005
“The Perennial Refugees,” book review of In Hope & Despair, Al Jadid 2005
Doris Bittar - WritingsNarcissism and the City, Zohan and Caramel, Al Jadid film reviews 2008
“Narcissism and the City,” Zohan and Caramel, Al Jadid film reviews 2008. I reviewed two films that are diametrically opposed to each other, but are centered within beauty parlors, narcissism, and political sectarianism.

Opinion Pieces

Doris Bittar - WritingsBetty Crocker, Not Bin Laden: the lives of Arab women, Alternet.com 2003
“Betty Crocker, Not Bin Laden: the lives of Arab women,” Alternet.com 2003. This piece is still relevant today with a caveat that the culture is no longer in the 1970’s. To update: Arab culture has now entered the Oprah Winfrey era of exposing societal ills – the 1990’s. Politically, they are ahead of the rest of the world, of course.
Doris Bittar - WritingsSyria and the Roots of Western Civilization, by Doris Bittar and James Rauch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20034
Syria and the Roots of Western Civilization,” by Doris Bittar and James Rauch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2003. Explores the rich inheritance the world has received from Byzantium Syria.
Doris Bittar - WritingsSects, Lies & Viral Networks, San Diego Union-Tribune 2011
“What Does Peace Look Like and How Do We Measure It”, by Doris Bittar and Bassemah Darwish, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2006