POP!
by Gentilhomme
Part of Downtown Yonge’s ILLUMINITE 2026, POP! by Gentilhomme arrives at Sankofa Square as a playful, interactive installation filled with surprises, music, and dance.
Five fun-loving characters are patiently waiting to share their fantastic world with you. But Popo, Popup, Poplu, Popette and Popotin are hidden inside mysterious monoliths – and they need your help to kick off the party!
In order to free their zany energy, you will have to call on these figures, talk to them – and maybe even sing – to persuade them to spring forth. Time for this party to POP!
This interactive, collective experience invites you to celebrate, laugh and dance. POP! is a call to revel in joy and spread happiness.
Where: Sankofa Square, 1 Dundas Street East, Toronto, Ontario
When: February 13 to March 8, 2026
Hours: Daily from noon to 11pm
Admission: Free
POP! by Gentilhomme, a production of Quartier des Spectacles Partnership in partnership with Jack World, distributed by QDSinternational
Experience POP! by Gentilhomme
An installation that will bring you surprises, music and dance!
“Our interactive installation is a celebration of light, music, motion and popular culture. We hope that POP! will be a catalyst for energizing groups that inspires people to talk and collaborate. It’s a bit like a big party where people of all ages get together to sing, dance, laugh and share a little human warmth as winter settles in.”
- Thibaut Duverneix and Mathieu Léger, creative directors, Gentilhomme
See: Mysterious monoliths light up as colourful characters burst to life, filling the space with movement, vibrant visuals, and unexpected moments of joy.
Listen: Call out, clap, or sing — your voice helps trigger playful sounds, music, and reactions from the hidden characters.
Play: Interact with Popo, Popup, Poplu, Popette, and Popotin by speaking or making noise to bring them out and start the party.
Share: Visitors can share their POP! by Gentilhomme experiences on social media. Use @sankofasquare and #ILLUMINITE for a chance to be featured on Sankofa Square's social channels and onsite digital screens.
Credits
Creation: Gentilhomme
Design & Production: Thibaut Duverneix and Mathieu Léger
Mechanical Design: Stéphane Beaulac
Sound Design and Original Music: David Drury
Interactive Design: Marouane Sahbi
Creative Supervision: Guillaume Cardell
Art Direction: Renée Lamothe and Mathieu Léger
Production: Marie-Lou Bouchard, Frédérique St-Pierre and Sophie Bisson
Project Management: Lucie Brillouet
Fabrication: Jack World
Inflatable Production: Carlos Navarrete-Patiño
Creative Code: Étienne Garon-Vincent and François de L’Isle
3D Animation: Jérôme Routhier
Technical Direction: Sébastien Boulanger
Production: Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, The city of Mississauga and Culture Shawinigan
Distribution: Quartier des Spectacles International
About the Artist
Gentilhomme is a multidisciplinary creative studio specializing in the creation, direction and production of interactive films, experiences and installations that capture the imagination and captivate audiences. The multi-award-winning studio has created projects around the world, earning international recognition.
🔗 gentilhomme.com | @gentilhomme_studio
About Downtown Yonge BIA
Established in 2001 along Toronto’s iconic Yonge Street, the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area (DYBIA) is a non-profit organization committed to strengthening the culture and economy of our world-leading downtown neighbourhood through programs, partnerships, advocacy and outreach.
A champion for the mixed-use community of 2,000+ businesses and property owners in the heart of downtown Toronto, DYBIA is responsive, inclusive and collaborative, reaching beyond its boundaries to create innovative programs that help drive consistent growth in the community.
Representing more than $7 billion in commercial real estate, this vibrant downtown district is home to exceptional retail such as CF Toronto Eaton Centre, entertainment mainstays including the Ed Mirvish Theatre, the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres and Massey Hall, and a bustling post-secondary community at Toronto Metropolitan University and Toronto Film School, as well as over 100,000 residents within a 10-minute walk. All of which contribute to some of the highest pedestrian flows in Canada with over 60 million pedestrians annually. More info.
About Quartier des Spectacles / Quartier Spectacles Partnership
The Quartier des Spectacles is Montreal’s cultural heart, boasting North America’s greatest concentration and variety of cultural venues. The district is the year-round host to countless festivals and events, many of which include free outdoor shows and activities. The Quartier hosts innovative urban installations featuring cutting-edge lighting design, immersive environments and interactive digital spaces. Year round, the Quartier presents artistic video projections on building façades. The Quartier des Spectacles is also a showcase for new multimedia technology, making Montreal a global leader in the urban exhibition of digital content.
The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, founded in 2003, is a non-profit organization with more than 80 members active in the district. It is responsible for animating the Quartier des Spectacles by programming cultural activities, managing and animating public spaces, providing distinctive illumination and promoting the Quartier as a must-visit cultural destination. The Partnership is supported by the Ville de Montréal. More info.
