asetelmia

Asetelma is a Finnish noun meaning an arrangement or setup, and asetelmia is its plural form. In everyday language, the term can refer to any organized or staged configuration, but it is most commonly used in visual arts to denote still life arrangements.

In the context of art, asetelma refers to a still life composition—an arrangement of inanimate objects such as fruit, flowers, vessels, fabrics, and other everyday items that an artist depicts. The genre emphasizes the relationship of objects through space, light, color, texture, and form. Artists consider principles of composition—balance, contrast, rhythm, and focal point—to create meaning or mood. Still lifes have a long history across Europe and have a particular presence in Nordic art traditions, where domestic or allegorical subject matter can shape interpretation.

In photography and stage design, asetelmia describe staged scenes prepared for shooting or display. Photographers and set designers control lighting, perspective, and props to achieve a specific atmosphere, narrative cue, or commercial objective. In theatre and film, asetelma can also refer to the overall stage design or scenography—the deliberate arrangement of sets, furniture, and props to realize a setting and support storytelling.

Beyond the arts, the word can be used more broadly to denote any arranged situation or setup.