are you serious? text by JEFFREY DEITCH Are you serious? “Seriousness” has become the art world’s new criterion. A warning to artists, curators, and galleries: be careful about having too much fun, looking too stylish, and associating too closely with popular culture unless you are being “critical.” And absolutely avoid misbehaving in public. No public drunkenness or flirtatiousness. Dress all in black and try not to laugh or gesture too expressively in conversation. Most importantly, make every effort to conform. Try to look, act, speak, and make art in the approved manner. Drink too much at a museum opening? You will not be invited back, and if you are an artist, you might be off the agenda at the next acquisition committee meeting. Talk about fashion designers and pop stars at a gallery dinner? Unless they are the approved “serious” designers and performers with art-world cred, the other guests will…