Picture: Positivity Exhibit: Karl Vidt

Written by Zachary Jaca

(Picture: Positivity, an exhibition of photographs, biographies and artist statements can be seen at the Santa Clara County Government Center, 70 W. Hedding, San Jose, now until June 20. The photographs are taken by Santa Clara University students. Here is background information about one of the subjects, and a statement from the student about their photograph on exhibit.)    

Karl Vidt

57

Pennsylvania/San Jose

At the age of 57, Karl Vidt says he still sees the world through rose-colored glasses, despite being blind. Even after losing his vision, career, and a huge portion of his daily life to the HIV virus, Karl explains, he remains positive. “I never had a feeling I’d die,” he says, and his day-to-day life today embodies action and service.

Born in Pennsylvania, Karl’s life-long dream was to become an architect. In 1969 his family moved to San Jose, which opened up opportunities for Karl to broaden his exposure to architecture. Later he attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and graduated into a long career as a practicing architect in San Jose. After his HIV diagnosis in 1989, Karl continued his work until 1995, continuing his everyday activities even as he was dealing with his illness.

Karl’s health worsened, however, and he was forced to leave his job. His well-being became a full-time concern. In 1995, as Karl entered his third year with no functioning immune system, he contracted CMV retinitis, which eventually claimed his right eye and most of his left. He had several surgeries and in the end, Karl was left with a good amount of usable vision on his left side, with this vision similar to looking through a bottle of oil.

Undeterred, Karl continued to express his architectural and design-oriented outlook. His vision was blurry, but he could still see shapes and colors. As Karl explains, “I see spaces differently now, I feel them.”

While AIDs took Karl’s job and vision, it couldn’t kill his drive. As he explains, his disease motivated him toward advocacy, which he is now heavily involved in within San Jose and as part of larger networks across the country. As a member of the Santa Clara County HIV Planning Council for Prevention and Care, Karl uses his technical knowledge as he presses for the newest and best compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, among other priorities. He has made his life an active mission to help others who live with similar disabilities.

While many allow AIDs or HIV to devastate or end their lives, Karl says, he views it very simply: “I didn’t shut down.”

Photographer Statement 

Zachary Jaca 

Over my time with Karl and the rest of our volunteers, I learned that stigma is one of the most frustrating parts of living with HIV or AIDs. 

In my own life the stigma of HIV and AIDs had never really existed. I had a close cousin who was diagnosed, so I had learned about it early on. As I grew up, however, I saw my cousin suffer from the hatred and violence brought on him not only for his sexuality, but because of the disease he suffered from. This culminated very recently when my cousin took his own life. 

In every way, my work to end this stigma has come from the heart and I sincerely hope my photography can make a difference. As we planned out the photography of our subjects, one thing kept occurring to me: that we needed to portray them as people, not as patients. Since Karl already had an idea for his portrait, all I needed was my camera and we were able to photograph Karl and his dog, Heaven, for the strong and dynamic duo they are. More than anything, my goal was to capture the power and happiness that Karl has found, even after such a difficult fight with his virus. 

As I got to know Karl, one thing became apparent to me: Karl has not let his medical problems affect his life. Even through blindness, home infusions, and the continual juggling of medication, Karl remains active and is an inspiring figure to be around.

By channeling the energy coming out of his diagnosis into advocacy work and tying in his architectural background, Karl has been able to do great things.

In his photo, Karl sits tall and is smiling, with Heaven close beside him. This photo embodies my impression of Karl. He is a man who was dealt a bad hand in life and was able to push through, to continue to enjoy his life at a point most people give up.

In Karl’s own words, “I didn’t shut down.”