A battle is brewing between Toronto's urban beautifiers, Mr. Brown and Val Kilmer that will come fist to fist this Thursday March 31st in the most explosive event this side of springtime.

The event is being held at Artlab (a gallery/retail space part of the Amoeba Corp. design firm). Curator Mikey Apples provided me with this official bio statement:

Underground street art runs no deeper than the work of Toronto artists/pranksters Val Kilmer & Mr. Brown whose notorious, often death-defying missions at redefining the cold and angular Toronto landscapewith equal parts humour, and raw eye-grabbing mystery have recently drawn attention from international media and the fascination of the public atlarge. "Mr. Brown vs. Val Kilmer" broadens the pair's urban vision in an exclusive one-week-only exhibit of mixed media & installation opening March 31st through April 8th.

You've probably seen movie star Val Kilmer's face stuck on signs, buildings and poles all across this city. It's even grabbed global attention! Val Kilmer himself was accused to shamelessly plastering his image to jumpstart his boring career. I suggest you read this article for more of an in depth history of Val Kilmer's way.

A live journal blogger even suggested that Val Kilmer was a band name and the tags were merely promotion.

With so much google time given to Val Kilmer, I was beginning to worry about Mr. Brown's chance for success in this battle. There's a great site that celebrates street art where I found some of Mr. B's work and immediately recognized it from the streets.

When I spoke to the artists about the battle I discovered they are two rad dudes just looking to make Toronto more beautiful with inventive work in places where people can see and enjoy it. Although Val Kilmer said he would "kill Mr. Brown for real", he also said he was "looking forward to mr. brown moving in to my place so we can george foreman every night".

Battle Opening Night
Mr. Brown vs. Val Kilmer
Thursday March 31st
7pm - Victory
Artlab
457 Richmond Street West
March 31 - April 8