WingMakers Update

Extracted from Nexus Magazine, Volume 7, Number 5 (August-September 2000) or [September-October 2000 in the USA only].
PO Box 30, Mapleton Qld 4560 Australia. editor@nexusmagazine.com
Telephone: +61 (0)7 5442 9280; Fax: +61 (0)7 5442 9381 or TOLL-FREE 1-888-909-7474 in the USA/Canada
From our web page at: www.nexusmagazine.com

by Kerry M. Knight © 2000

New Light on the
WINGMAKERS WEBSITE

Since we published the WingMakers website extracts in NEXUS 6/03 (April-May 1999 issue), we have received numerous requests from readers for follow-up news. Up until recently we had heard nothing, but then we received the following item which sheds some light on surrounding circumstances.

**** Click here to go to a website wherein you can access the latest files and research about the WingMakers.

- Editor

Twenty-seven years ago, mysterious artifacts were found in a remote cavern located in northern New Mexico, USA. The discovery consisted of 23 chambers hollowed out deep within a huge natural bedrock structure in a remote canyon.

A secret, unacknowledged faction of the National Security Agency (NSA), known only as the Advanced Contact Intelligence Organization (ACIO), undertook authority for the project, dubbed Ancient Arrow.

Recovered within the chambers were wall paintings, various alien technologies, encoded hieroglyphs and an optical disc with tracks of encoded music. To the researchers, this became known as the Extraterrestrial Time Capsule (ETC). It was determined that the time capsule was designed and built by "a future version of humankind who were adept at interactive time travel". This advanced race called themselves "the WingMakers".

In 1997, a scientist by the name of Dr Anderson allegedly defected and reported the ACIO's findings to a journalist under the pseudonym of Anne. Since 1998, this information has been available via the world wide web at www.wingmakers.com.

Mark Hempel, a partner and co-founder of the Minnesota-based information technology company South Bay Group, is the webmaster of the domain under copyright acquisition of 1998. Hempel is also one of the few individuals who have been in contact with an anonymous group attributed to all WingMakers information.

Hempel's participation with WingMakers began when he was given information by a group of individuals who have maintained anonymity for various reasons--reasons that have not all been explained. His contact with this group came from a mutual acquaintance and clients working within the Department of Defense (DoD). Hempel was chosen by the group to host the site as their technical liaison and became a tool to post the information via the Internet.

"They paid me to host the site, no questions asked," said Hempel. "When I received the original materials from the group, they included four CD-ROM discs."

The first CD was essentially the website, the second contained the music from chambers 1 to 23, and the final two discs were the photographs of the chamber paintings.

"I have never met them in person but have talked with one of them on the phone," continued Hempel. "This group is media-shy and do not want to be known. I have been impressed with the woman I have spoken with. She's very polite, articulate and quiet. Initially she told me she was a member of an art group based in northern Europe."

The woman later dismissed her original statement as misinformation, acknowledging she was not an artist and had no dealings in the art world. Hempel was never told her profession. Nevertheless, he received the WingMakers package and was asked to host the site.

"I'm still being paid to monitor the site and ensure its safekeeping. The group prefers to remain anonymous, and that's fine with me."

Every month, Hempel receives a telephone call by the same woman to "check in" for updates on security problems, if any.

"There have been some attacks on the site pertaining to the interview transcripts, and some photos were misappropriated and others were added mysteriously," remarked Hempel.

There is much more content yet to be released by the group, but so far it has not been made available, other than the new music (chambers 11 to 17) and the third interview.

"I haven't been given permission to publish these on the site at this time," Hempel said.

On 24 November 1998, an alt.art.video newsgroup posting appeared on the Internet, suspected to have been written by Hempel himself. This posting claimed that he manufactured all the content and that WingMakers was in fact an experimental Immersive Multimedia Art Form (IMAF) intended as a blueprint for film or television.

When the site was launched the same month, "There was a slew of e-mails and reports about me in various newsgroups," Hempel said. "I did not write them. I am familiar with the IMAF e-mail, but it was not written by me."

Later that year, Hempel put copyright notice on all WingMakers artwork and music to discourage any pirating behaviour on the Internet. In reality, no "official" rights were granted.

WingMakers art and music files, along with newly released tracks from chambers 11 to 17, eventually ended up in the hands of SoulFood Ltd music company for commercial distribution.

"There is no relationship between WingMakers and SoulFood Media," Hempel explained, "other than the fact that they were chosen by this group to distribute their music anonymously. SoulFood is the distributor of the music."

Contrary to many people's beliefs, Hempel affirms that SoulFood did not engineer or manufacture the music itself--this stemming from the fact that Hempel's name appears on the liner notes to a CD titled Breathe, produced by SoulFood.

When asked to comment on the origins of the music, Hempel replied: "The origins of the music are anonymous. As I understand it, SoulFood is releasing the music for chambers 11 to 17 [not currently available on the website] in June."

While SoulFood is a commercial organisation, it operates more like a non-profit music co-op.

"I believe SoulFood was chosen because of its commitment to indigenous music forms, and its owner, Gordy Schaeffer, is somehow connected to the group behind the WingMakers website. SoulFood, as I understand it, was also given permission to use some of the artwork and music from the actual site in New Mexico."

When contacted for further information, Heidi Schaeffer of SoulFood Ltd stated: "SoulFood was given permission by Mark Hempel, the webmaster of the site, to distribute the new music and use the WingMakers art," adding, "We have also been given exclusive rights to distribute the new music."

When asked about this, Hempel replied: "It's true that they needed my help to get some of the music and artwork together, but I don't look at it as 'permission'. I assume Heidi does not want to disclose anything about this group. I believe it was an agreement made between them and SoulFood."

Hempel admits to having very large files of all the artwork which he distributed to SoulFood for the WingMakers album cover, along with WingMakers music files for mastering.

"I can only tell you that the quality of the music and art is of superior resolution and it's not something that was put together in a garage. Whoever created it had top-quality gear and digital systems."

Hempel said the reason he is looked upon by the group as their technical liaison is that they prefer not to deal with media or commercial interests and feel it necessary to stay out of the global "limelight". There was no need for it, he further stated.

"They've given me everything I need to host the site, and I in turn work with their agents like SoulFood to get the material out per their direction."

However, when contacted about the company's involvement with WingMakers, Gordy Schaeffer remarked: "On one level, SoulFood has been working for three years decoding optical data and converting it into frequencies."

In fact, SoulFood had nothing to do with the optical translations. According to Hempel, the three years Schaeffer is referring to was reflective of what the group told him and not his personal time.

"The music was sent to me complete," said Hempel.

Schaeffer was tasked with mastering it for commercial purposes, production of the disc's packaging and its distribution to the market.

Hempel acknowledged the fact that Schaeffer may have been leaking misinformation on his and SoulFood's role in the WingMaker's issue. "When he [Gordy] stated 'three years', he was providing, to some degree, misinformation [as to his involvement]; simply echoing information he received from this group."

When asked for a comment, Schaeffer replied, "I have no further information."

When asked to comment on the anonymous grouping aforementioned, Schaeffer adamantly stated: "I have no further information at this time. All the people involved are remaining anonymous for various reasons."

It has become a moot point that SoulFood Ltd is extremely nervous in discussing the WingMakers topic and tends to veer away from publicly speaking about it in great detail. WingMakers is a very obscure project within SoulFood, and the company has gone to great lengths to suppress any background information being revealed to the general public.

In 1999, Hempel was told the group is currently working on a book to explain the real situation behind WingMakers and its surrounding controversy.

"I haven't read it; I just know they are planning to put it on the website some time this summer (for free). I also believe that some of the information on the website is misinformation as well--at least in part-- because she explained that the book was meant to be the 'true rendering' of the story, though it's written in a fictional context to protect identities. I was told I'd get the first few chapters in June, and the balance in the Fall."

Many questions arise in regard to the true identity of this group and the woman with whom Hempel has been in contact. To dismay speculation from others, Hempel said that this woman has never claimed to be the journalist Anne or a real-life facsimile of her or to have any relation with the so-called ACIO.

"I've never actually asked her," admitted Hempel, but, "I've worked with enough government agencies to know when to ask and when not to ask questions."

As Hempel indicated, it does not matter.

"As long as she provides me with income and manages to provide good content on her website, I'll help her while respecting her desire for anonymity."

(Source: Written by Kerry M. Knight, knightk@sentex.net, 27 May 2000)

MORE NEWS FROM THE WINGMAKERS WEBMASTER

When we received Kerry Knight's item, I thought it best to contact Mark Hempel and check his understanding of the facts as presented. What follows are the e-mail communications between Mark and myself, reprinted with his permission. We'll keep you updated on further developments when we hear of them.

- Editor