Artist in Person What is acceptable behavior? Does it smell like tanned leather? Handelman's pro-and-con/sensual Blood Sisters doesn't describe the bounds of permissible fantasy in the women's leather community, rather it broadens the discussion about private expressions of eroticism, political implications and all. Eight self-described leather dykes tell their stories about participating in a subculture cast off by its own immediate ally, the larger lesbian community. Surrounded by the paraphernalia of S/M ritual, these women collapse the cheap stereotypes used to demonize them. Masters and slaves, tops and bottoms, yes. But Handelman's often humorous work reveals a fluidity to role-playing that is far more complex. This is necessary in a sexual practice that as one woman declares is about "finding your own boundaries." S/M play, slave auctions, activist events, and the International Ms. Leather competition are artfully joined to the interviews, while a soundtrack by SF riotgrrl punk bands Frightwig and Typhoon propels Blood Sisters along. The snap of leather whips is one thing; what Handelman is really exploring is the wincing face of power and culture.-Steve Seid